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Kinstellar advises MVM Group on landmark CCGT power plant development project at the Tisza Power Plant in Hungary
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that our Budapest team has advised MVM Group on the project to build a major (approx. 1,000 MW) new combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in Tiszaújváros, North-East Hungary. This transaction and the Mátra CCGT power plant development were the first public procurement tenders in Hungary for such kind of power generation facilities. The new Tisza CCGT power plant will further support the energy transition of Hungary with the provision of a more reliable electricity system which is capable of integrating renewable power generation assets without endangering the security of supply. Kinstellar Budapest provided comprehensive legal support to MVM Group from the initial stages
New opportunities in biogas and biomethane production in Hungary
Sustainable energy production is playing an increasingly significant role in Hungary’s energy policy. As part of this initiative, the Hungarian government’s recently launched Jedlik Ányos Energy Program plans to support a total of ten projects with a focus on investments in biogas and biomethane production. A draft tender related to biogas and biomethane production has been published for public consultation. The program will allocate a total of HUF 40 billion (approximately EUR 100 million) to cover the entire process—from raw material collection to the further utilisation of residues and by-products—including infrastructure investments and equipment procurement. Out of this total, HUF 18 billion is to be designated
Kinstellar advised Veolia on the acquisition of a stake in Veolia Energie ČR from ČEZ
Kinstellar has successfully advised Veolia on the acquisition of an additional 15% stake in Veolia Energie ČR from ČEZ, increasing its shareholding to more than 98%. This transaction marks a significant milestone in Veolia’s long-term collaboration with ČEZ and further strengthens its position in the Czech energy market. Kinstellar provided comprehensive legal support throughout the transaction, including due diligence, negotiation of transaction documents, and regulatory aspects. The deal aligns with Veolia’s GreenUp strategy, focusing on the transition to cleaner, local, and decarbonised energy sources. The Kinstellar team was led by Kamil Blažek (Partner) and included Michal Forýtek (Counsel), Matěj
Harald Strahberger, a leading regulatory lawyer, joins Kinstellar as Partner in Vienna
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Harald Strahberger has joined our newly launched Vienna office as a Partner. His addition strengthens our public law and regulatory capabilities, further enhancing the firm’s expertise in Austria and across the wider Central and Eastern European region. With extensive experience advising national and international clients across all aspects of public law, Harald specialises in environmental law (including facility, waste, and water regulations), energy law, trade law, data protection, and state aid law. He also has a strong background representing clients in administrative proceedings and before Administrative Courts, the Supreme Administrative Court, the Austrian Constitutional
Supporting Energy Transition in CEE – Kinstellar successfully completes landmark CCGT Power Plant Development Project for Hungarian MVM Group at the Mátra Power Plant in Hungary
Kinstellar Budapest is proud to have advised the Hungarian MVM Group on the project to build a major new 500 MW combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in North-East Hungary—a key milestone in Hungary’s transition towards a more sustainable energy system. The new state-of-the-art CCGT power plant will replace low-efficiency and high-emission aged lignite-fired power plant assets, and support thereby the further deployment of renewable energy sources in Hungary. Kinstellar Budapest advised the MVM Group from the initial stages of structuring the project, through the drafting and negotiation with several potential bidders of the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) contract, as well as the Long-Term Service
Regional report: Energy and natural resources trends in the CEE and Central Asia for the year 2025
We are excited to release the first edition of the Report | Energy and Natural Resources Trends in the CEE and Central Asia for the year 2025. This comprehensive report provides an overview of the latest and emerging developments in the energy and natural resources sector across Kinstellar’s jurisdictions, with a particular focus on the opportunities and advancements in renewable energy, battery energy storage systems, hydrogen, nuclear, or oil & gas—each tailored to the specific energy landscape in: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Designed for investors and industry professionals, the report brings forward an overview of the
Immediate amendment to feed-in-tariff prices in Hungary
Effective 31 January 2025, Government Decree No. 7/2025 has revised the feed-in-tariff rates for renewable power plants that are part of the feed-in-tariff (“FiT”) system in Hungary. The Decree took effect on the day it was announced, making it currently enforceable and applicable. The key amendments are outlined as follows: Starting in 2025, the annual indexation for FiT power generators will be discontinued until the state of danger declared in relation to the war in Ukraine concludes, but no later than 2029. The exception to the above rule is if the annual average inflation in Hungary exceeds 6%. FiT power generators will no longer be subject to the “Robin Hood” tax applied to
Kinstellar announced the promotion of Mario Kijanović to Managing Associate in Belgrade
Kinstellar is pleased to announce the promotion of Mario Kijanović from our Belgrade office to Managing Associate. Mario’s expertise spans a variety of sectors, including renewable energy projects, commercial and industrial leasing, acquisitions, disposals, and complex capital transactions. He has assisted a wide range of clients, from the public sector to some of the world’s largest property and renewable energy project developers. Mario has provided advisory services on major acquisitions for leading international clients such as Two Rivers, Besico, and Strabag, further solidifying his reputation as a trusted advisor. Mario is also recognized as a Rising Star in Real Estate and Construction by Legal 500
Kinstellar successfully closes the landmark Project Bluesky transaction
Kinstellar Budapest, acting as the lead counsel for Hungary, has successfully closed the landmark Project Bluesky transaction, advising the Hungarian Power Exchange (HUPX) and the Hungarian Transmission System Operator, MAVIR. As part of the particularly complex Project Bluesky transaction, EMS (Serbian Transmission System Operator), ELES (Slovenian Transmission System Operator) and EPEX SPOT (European Power Exchange SE) agreed to the cross-border transformation of the Slovenian ADEX Skrupina holding company, into a Hungarian company, ADEX Szervezett Villamosenergia-piac Holding (ADEX HU). Kinstellar advised on the Hungarian law aspects and implementation of the cross-border transformation, while ODL Law Firm acted as
Kinstellar strengthens its energy team in Budapest with senior expert, Emőke Kovács
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that Emőke Kovács, an accomplished legal practitioner in energy law, has joined the firm’s Budapest office as Of Counsel. With an extensive and well-established career in the energy sector, Emőke’s expertise further enhances the strength and reputation of our energy law team. With over 20 years of experience working at energy companies and law firms, Emőke is a highly respected and trusted legal expert in the field. She focuses on advising clients from the electricity and gas industries on regulatory matters, as well as a wide range of issues within the energy sector. Emőke has significant experience in electricity and gas trading, energy and heat distribution, and compliance
Romania to hold first CfD renewables auction in coming weeks
Romania is set to hold its first contracts for difference (“CfD”) auction in the next few weeks. The Ministry of Energy has taken further steps and issued the order for initiating the CfD auction under the CfD scheme. On 6 September 2024, Order No. 1290/2024, approving the launch of the first auction for the State aid scheme in the form of contracts for difference for the production of electricity from renewable sources of onshore wind and solar photovoltaic energy, as well as the rules of the procedure for the first auction (“Order 1290/2024”), was published in the Official Gazette of Romania and entered into force on the same date. The total capacity targeted is 1,500 MW of renewables; specifically
Kinstellar advises China Southern Power Grid International on the acquisition of a non-controlling stake in ACWA Power’s two wind farm projects in Uzbekistan
Kinstellar is delighted to announce that we have successfully advised China Southern Power Grid International on its acquisition of a 35% stake in ACWA Power Bash Wind Project Holding Company Limited and ACWA Power Uzbekistan Wind Project Holding Company holding 100% in Bash and Dzhankeldy Uzbek project companies, respectively. The projects represent a combined 1 GW capacity and over USD 1.3 billion of investments. This transaction marks the first acquisition of large-scale renewable energy projects in Uzbekistan. Each of Bash and Dzhankeldy wind farm plants is developed based on a ‘Build, Own, Operate, Transfer’ model and consists of 79 wind turbines (158 turbines in total) that will generate 3,235 gigawatt-hours