Gus Wood

Gus Wood is an expert in energy. His in-depth energy knowledge and sector expertise enables him to understand the businesses of energy clients, and also the energy-related challenges increasingly faced by all organisations.

Based in Gowling WLG's Birmingham office, Gus is respected for his in-depth knowledge of the UK electricity and gas sectors, for his expertise in documenting and interpreting regulatory regimes, and for his commercial contracts work within the (often complicated) regulatory frameworks.

Gus is particularly well known for his commercial contracts work in the energy sector. In respect of power purchase agreements (PPAs), for example, he has drafted or negotiated some of the most significant PPAs in the UK renewables sector. He is also an acknowledged expert in heat supply agreements, particularly for combined heat and power projects. A further specialism is in the drafting or negotiation of supply-side agreements, including the development of flexible pricing products and PPA-sleeving arrangements. In addition, he regularly advises on energy trading and fuel supply agreements, on both standard and bespoke terms.

Gus's extensive experience of energy regulation enables him to provide cutting-edge advice on the legislative frameworks that underpin all competitive energy markets. He regularly advises government departments and regulators - as well as energy companies - on the development and interpretation of regulatory frameworks.

Gus's passion for the energy sector and his long-standing involvement in the sector means that he is able to keep on top of the latest developments. He is constantly engaged in cutting-edge sector work, which enables him to add real value when advising clients on developing policy and new products.

In recent years, Gus has been busy advising on corporate PPAs (both virtual and physical corporate PPAs) and battery storage optimisation contracts. He is also assisting a number of clients with hydrogen business models.

Clients

Government departments and regulators responsible for energy, industry bodies responsible for energy codes, energy network companies, electricity generators, energy traders, energy suppliers and energy consumers.

He advises new entrants to the UK energy market on licence applications, accession to the industry codes, drafting of energy supply agreements, drafting of power purchase agreements and negotiation of energy trading agreements (including ISDA, EFET, GTMA and NBP terms).

Gus advises energy project developers on how best to structure and secure their projects in order to comply with and make the most of the applicable regulatory regimes. This includes advice on the regulatory regime, advice on incentive schemes for renewable or low-carbon electricity or heat generation (including CFDs, ROCs, FIT and RHI), connection agreements, fuel supply agreements and power purchase agreements. His experience spans all technologies, including onshore and offshore wind, natural gas, coal, biomass, energy from waste, anaerobic digestion and solar PV.

He has worked for property developers and energy service companies on the creation and operation of energy projects that are integrated into new commercial and residential property developments. The main challenge here is in structuring the projects to ensure they comply with energy regulation and offer sufficient protections to future occupiers.