Expertise
Owen is a partner in the Energy and Infrastructure Group. He advises on project development, project financing, energy M&A and energy regulatory matters.
He has experience advising on all types of energy projects, including wind (onshore and offshore), solar, energy storage, biomass, hybrid projects, renewable gas and conventional generation.
Owen specialises in the structuring, drafting and negotiation of power purchase agreements (PPAs), regularly advising in relation to REFIT and RESS PPAs, merchant PPAs and corporate PPAs (as well as related contracts such as trading services agreements).
Owen is ranked in legal directories as a leading Irish energy lawyer in the areas of project development, project finance and projects (energy and infrastructure).
Owen has advised:
Corporate PPAs
- Microsoft in relation to its corporate PPAs in Ireland with Energia, Statkraft and Power Capital (contracted capacity of over 900MW of onshore wind and solar).
- ib vogt and Highfield in relation to two corporate PPAs with Meta in respect of Irish solar farms (with a combined capacity of 276MWp).
- EDF Renewables in relation to a corporate PPA with Circle K.
- Metlen (formerly Mytilineos / Metka) in relation to two corporate PPAs with Keppel DC REIT.
- Flogas in relation to a sleeved corporate PPA with Boortmalt Ireland and Davidstown Solar Farm.
- Ørsted in relation to a corporate PPAs with Meta and other corporate offtakers.
Project Development / Project Financing
- Bord na Móna on the developing and financing of the 75MW Cloncreen Wind Farm.
- Bord na Móna on the developing and financing of the 105MW Derrinlough Wind Farm, including the drafting and negotiation of a Corporate PPA with Amazon in respect of the project.
- Bord na Móna in relation to its Eco Energy Park, a development which will include co-located low and zero carbon energy generation and industrial demand users.
- Rabobank as lender to ib vogt / Highfield on the development and financing of four Irish solar farms (Rathnaskilloge, Gaskinstown, Clonin North and North Arklow) with a combined generating capacity of around 280MW.
- A club of lenders on the project financing of a new 275MW open cycle gas turbine (OCGT) to be located in Ireland.
- Iqony (formerly STEAG SENS) in relation to a portfolio development agreement with Irish developers in respect of a significant solar development pipeline.
- Hamburg Commercial Bank in relation to the financing of Letteragh Wind Farm, Clogheravaddy Wind Farm and Cleanrath Wind Farm.
- Allied Irish Banks (AIB) in relation to the financing of Carrigdangan Wind Farm and Esk Wind Farm.
Energy M&A
- EDF Renewables in relation to its entry into the Irish market, through the acquisition of a number of solar development projects.
- Macquarie in relation to its acquisition of Beauparc Utilities (owner of the Panda Power business), advising in relation to PPAs, energy hedging agreements, supply agreement terms and project licencing.
- Partners Group on its acquisition of an interest in the Greenlink Interconnector, a 500MW subsea electricity interconnector between Ireland and Great Britain.
- Hitachi on its acquisition of ABB’s power grid business (in respect of Irish related matters).
Other
- The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to the drafting of the terms and conditions for the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), including the terms and conditions for the offshore RESS auctions (ORESS).
- EirGrid (the Irish TSO) in relation to the drafting and development of new grid connection agreements, which will be used to connect offshore wind projects in Ireland, as well as a form of asset purchase agreement for the transfer of offshore grid infrastructure from developers to EirGrid.
- EirGrid in relation to various disputes in relation to the balancing market and capacity market auctions.
- Vermilion in relation to various aspects of its ownership and operatorship of the Corrib Gas Field, including the drafting and negotiation of gas marketing agreements.
- Various businesses in relation to the drafting and negotiation of retail electricity and gas supply agreements.
- Various suppliers and end-users in relation to renewable gas purchase agreements with biomethane developers.
Owen Collins named Rising Star
IFLR1000 2024
Owen Collins named Rising Star
IFLR1000 2023
“Very good understanding of our business and robust advice.”
IFLR1000 2023
Owen Collins named Rising Star
IFLR1000 2022
“Garret Farrelly and Owen Collins are both great to work with. They are knowledgeable, great communicators and very responsive. They share responsibility on the team to help manage work to a budget and ensure continuity of service.”
The European Legal 500 2022
Admitted as a solicitor in Ireland - 2017
Trinity College Dublin, LLB - 2014