Renewable Energy

China is the world’s largest renewable energy generator. Yet renewables account for only about one-third of China’s power generation. These facts combined speak for themselves.

Since China’s Renewable Energy Law came into effect in 2006, regulators have scrambled to keep up with policies supporting clean energy and businesses exceeding expectations by leaps and bounds. But regulation still generally lags behind, which on the one hand hampers development while on the other hand leaves parties exposed to risks if regulations and transactions are not prudently navigated.

DaHui has always had a keen appreciation for the regulatory and technical challenges that make the renewable energy industry unique. Given how our firm focused from its inception on “new economy” industries, our practice has grappled with the full range of policy and legal issues across a clientele and sector spectrum including wind, solar, hydroelectricity and even bio-energy. Our clients come to us for our forward-thinking advice and thorough understanding of the technical, commercial and political aspects of the industry, including our engagement in the development of legislation and tuning into the latest regulatory and compliance trends.

There are also still specific gaps and inefficiencies in this industry. For example, generated power is wasted due to a lack of infrastructure for transporting and using it locally. Such issues have led to concerns and suggestions for a slowdown, although it may be viewed as another opportunity for growth, especially through more partnerships, including with foreign expertise. Perhaps equally importantly, China has yet to expand abroad in this field to an extent proportionate with its capacity. Partnerships may also help in this respect, but local players may also be empowered themselves to reach foreign markets as long as they have competent cross-border counsel.

DaHui’s renewable energy practice has developed in tandem with the technological advances and policy changes spurring investment in renewable energy not only in China but around the world. We have represented clients in major renewable energy outbound investments and projects in Southeast Asia, South America and Africa in addition to China, the United States, and Europe. A formerly niche area in which we have been a key law firm in recent years is electric vehicles, both on the investment side and on the IP/DR side, where we have represented both Chinese and foreign clients in their aggressive expansions and operations.