ENERGY FOR THE FUTURE
Think ahead. Change. Improve.
ENERGY FOR THE FUTURE
Think ahead. Change. Improve.
If we don’t move with the times, the times will leave us behind. Currently, one of the most important areas to focus on is the area of energy. We are convinced that those who choose responsible production, procurement and supply of energy are laying the foundations for a successful future. rk partners will be your ideal partner in all matters involving energy law and will accompany you on your path to our shared energy future.
One-Stop Shop
We can help you deal with the legal framework related to the field of energy. Our experts will support you with project planning, with various aspects of financing and with the issues that can arise in connection with the interfaces between energy generation, energy procurement and energy supply. Unlike other commercial law firms, we offer our clients a holistic and comprehensive solution. This is made possible by our team, which brings together experienced lawyers and industry experts.
Our expertise in energy law
Are you looking for legal advice on the implementation of energy projects? A legal advisor who thinks outside the box? A way to set future trends with alternative energy sources such as water, PV or wind? A top law firm as a partner for questions relating to energy and emissions trading? If so, you have come to the right address. Numerous national and international energy companies, energy suppliers, energy traders, network operators, municipalities and banks already rely on rk partners, and we look forward to working with you on your own energy-related projects!
OUR AREAS OF COMPETENCE AT A GLANCE
As a one-stop shop in energy law, we will be happy to advise and support you in all areas of energy law, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Structuring and setting up of energy communities
- Renewable energies (hydropower, photovoltaic, wind power, biomass, biogas, etc.)
- Energy-related contract law
- Market entry in Austria
- Energy and emissions trading
- Energy regulation
- Corporate law and M&A
- Financing
- Power Purchase Agreements
- Energy communities in the property sector
- Funding Models
- Infrastructure projects
- Public law
- Real estate law
- Environmental law
POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
A future-proof model.
Europe's electricity market faces significant challenges: the expansion of renewable energy and the strategic phase-out of natural gas as part of the Green Deal are key objectives. Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are proving to be an innovative solution to support this transformation. Structuring PPAs requires careful consideration of factors such as contract duration, pricing mechanisms, and electricity delivery. Contract templates like the EFET framework agreements provide valuable guidance. However, companies must also navigate regulatory requirements such as REMIT, EMIR, and MiFID II, which were originally developed for the financial sector.
Despite these hurdles, PPAs offer numerous advantages: they ensure long-term price stability, minimize trading risks, and enable the verifiable procurement of regional and green electricity. Especially in project financing by banks, the careful structuring of a PPA is crucial. As experts in energy law and PPA design, we are here to assist you. Together with our experienced Of Counsels, who possess in-depth knowledge of the economic and technical implementation of such projects, we ensure the successful realization of your initiative.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF ENERGY PROJECTS
To create the best conditions for the success of your energy project, we will accompany and advise you not only during the first steps, but throughout every subsequent stage of your energy project. If you are planning the purchase or sale of an energy project, we will help to bring buyers and sellers together. We know the market and have a large network.
Market entry in Austria
With our many years of experience in energy law, comprehensive industry knowledge and economic understanding, we accompany you from the initial market analysis to the successful implementation of your projects. As a one-stop shop, rk partners offers you holistic support that combines legal know-how with strategic and economic expertise. With a team of experienced lawyers combined with experts from business and technology, we accompany you on your market entry in Austria and offer comprehensive support in the planning, legal implementation and economic optimisation of your projects - from concept development to successful realisation.
Our integrated approach ensures a smooth and successful market entry in Austria. You can rely on us to optimise your projects both economically and legally.
ENERGY COMMUNITIES
A future-proof model.
Climate change, scarcity of resources, unequal distribution – all of these are important social and economic challenges that require the development and setting-up of sustainable energy models. Energy must be generated, used and distributed more efficiently. Energy communities make it possible.
The underlying objective is to generate energy together and use it together at reduced rates.
Imagine being part of such an energy community. Solar energy is generated on the roof of your company building, your partners generate energy from water and wind power. In this way, any weather situation can be used for energy production and all members of the community can be constantly supplied. This is how regional energy communities – and even communities across several regions – can meet demand.
The advantages are obvious: your energy supply will not only become more sustainable, it will also be more efficient, autonomous and regional. In the future, the production and sale of electricity will no longer be the prerogative of energy supply companies. Energy communities represent an attractive, albeit still rather new energy model, the planning, implementation and government funding of which raises numerous questions.
As experts in energy law and energy communities, we are here to help.
Renewable Energy Communities
(REC)
RECs are regional energy communities that only use renewable energy sources. We will work with you to analyse the situation and requirements, identify the possibilities of funding, determine the type of company that will best suit your purpose and establish an optimal, holistic model for your project.
Citizen Energy Communities
(CEC)
CECs are regional and/or national energy communities that permit a combination of conventional and alternative energy generation. We will advise and support you as you plan and implement your project, from the initial analysis of the requirements and funding options to the choice of a legal form for the company and questions of tax law.
Energy communities in the property sector
rk partners accompanies you on the way to a "green property".
The energy transition brings new opportunities for sustainable living concepts. Despite the challenges, the integration of photovoltaics and energy communities in the form of communal generation plants (GEA), renewable energy communities (EEG) and citizen energy communities (BEG) offers great potential to combine ecological responsibility with long-term benefits for residents and the environment - supported by attractive subsidy models.
Energy communities promote sustainable energy utilisation, increase the attractiveness of residential offers and reduce electricity costs in the long term.
CONTACT
Our experts and their energy solutions.
Dominik Kurzmann
Head of Energy
Dominik Kurzmann is a partner at rk partners, heads the Energy Desk, and is one of Austria’s leading energy law experts. With more than fifteen years of professional experience, he provides comprehensive advice to national and international clients in the energy and financial services sectors. His areas of specialization include the development, implementation, financing, as well as the purchase and sale of energy projects and companies, including the structuring of capital market products in the field of renewable and conventional energy. He supports clients entering new markets, assists with complex cross-border transactions, and designs power procurement strategies, for example, through power purchase agreements or energy communities. Dominik is the author of numerous specialist books and publications and teaches as a university lecturer at the University of Vienna on energy and banking-related legal topics. He and his team have gained recognition in international rankings such as JUVE, Chambers, IFLR 1000, and Legal500.
Teammitglieder
Victoria Fischl
Victoria Fischl is a partner at rk partners and an energy law expert. She provides comprehensive legal advice to national and international clients in energy law, including corporate/M&A in the energy sector, banking and finance law, and regulatory matters. With a particular focus on manufacturing companies and the oil and gas industry, she supports clients on both the buyer and seller sides of M&A transactions. Victoria is the author of numerous specialist publications and regularly lectures on regulatory and energy law topics.
Christian Dorrer
Christian Dorrer is an attorney at rk partners and a recognized expert in litigation and arbitration. His focus lies on corporate, commercial, as well as real estate and construction-related disputes. In addition, he comprehensively advises clients on civil, contract, and general terms and conditions (GTC) matters. Clients particularly benefit from his expertise in international commercial and investment arbitration, where he regularly handles proceedings under the rules of leading arbitral institutions such as VIAC, ICC, SIAC, HKIAC, ICSID, and UNCITRAL.
Michael Binder
Michael Binder is an attorney at rk partners and an expert in capital market transactions, securities law, banking law, and their interfaces with energy law. He advises companies and financial institutions on financing energy projects, structuring complex transactions, and complying with regulatory requirements. With his many years of experience as General Counsel and as an attorney in international law firms, he assists clients with the issuance of securities and the development of compliance measures.
Richard Schach
Richard Schach works as a paralegal at the Energy Desk of rk partners, contributing his competence in European and national energy and environmental law. He supports clients by advising on complex legal issues, assists with the establishment and structuring of energy communities, and helps implement sustainable real estate projects. With his solution-oriented approach, he makes a significant contribution to the development of innovative concepts.
Roland Kuras
Roland Kuras is Of Counsel at rk partners and, with over 30 years of professional experience, a leading expert in energy procurement, sustainable energy systems, and energy consulting. From 2011 to 2016, he was a member of the Commission of Energie-Control Austria for the regulation of the electricity and natural gas industries. He holds a license as a stock exchange trader at the European Energy Exchange (EEX) and serves on the scientific advisory board of the Danube University Krems. His practice includes the planning of sustainable energy systems, energy consulting, and support for energy communities.
Horst Pichlmüller
Horst Pichlmüller is Of Counsel at rk partners and a leading expert in building services and facility management, with a focus on energy efficiency, green building, and air hygiene. From 2011 to 2012, he served as President of the International Facility Management Association. He is a sworn and court-certified expert for building services and facility management, as well as VDI 6022 certified for air hygiene. In addition, he teaches facility management and building services at the Vienna University of Technology.
News
Rankings
IFLR1000 - M&A
rk partners is honored to be recognized as notable in M&A by IFLR1000. Since the firm’s founding in 2023, our team, led by Dr. Lukas Röper and Dr. Dominik Kurzmann, has built a solid market position. We thank IFLR1000 for this recognition and look forward to continuing our dedicated support for our clients in the M&A sector.
IFLR1000 - BANKING AND FINANCE
rk partners is pleased to be recognized as notable in Banking and Finance by IFLR1000. Since our founding in 2023, our team, led by Dr. Lukas Röper and Dr. Dominik Kurzmann, has established a strong position in the finance sector. We thank IFLR1000 for this recognition and are motivated to continue delivering exceptional advice to our clients in Banking and Finance.
JUVE - 2/5 STARS IN PUBLIC LAW
Since our launch in early 2023, JUVE commends our integration of public law with transactional and financing expertise. Our energy law practice, led by Dr. Dominik Kurzmann, is pivotal, supporting clients like Wien Energie and leading wind and solar initiatives, particularly energy communities and cooperatives, by combining civil and administrative law expertise. Dr. Lukas Röper was recognized for his depth in sanctions law, representing clients across Belgium and Germany in complex regulatory matters involving frozen assets and securities.
JUVE - 2/5 STARS IN BANKING AND FINANCE
Since our founding in 2023, we have, according to JUVE, "immediately taken a relevant market position," with a team led by Dr. Lukas Röper and Dr. Dominik Kurzmann. JUVE highlights our strengths in sanctions advice, banking M&A, and private wealth, with expertise in financing, energy law, and regulatory matters.
Dr. Lukas Röper is recognized for his regulatory competence in banking M&A and releasing frozen funds or securities. Dr. Dominik Kurzmann’s work in energy financing, notably photovoltaic credit documentation, is also highly commended.
INFOS
Sustainability at a glance
The Funding and Tax Guidebook
Company Websites
Visit the website of our full scope law firm.
Our one stop shop for all your legal, financial, tax, regulatory and business needs.
Visit our website on the subject of sanctions.
ENERGY LAW
Energy law for energy communities
Since 2021, the production and sale of energy is no longer an exclusive prerogative of classic energy supply companies. Ordinary citizens are now permitted to form so-called energy communities that allow them to produce, store, sell and consume energy in a flexible manner. As experts in energy law in Vienna and throughout Austria, we provide you with comprehensive support throughout the implementation of your project. We represent national and international market participants, including energy companies, energy suppliers, energy traders, network operators, municipalities and banks.
