Articles
23.01.2025
Articles
Compensation for curtailment of...
Profile
Thorsten Kirch is a counsel at the Cologne office of GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten. As a lawyer specialising in energy law, he has many years of experience in advising energy supply companies, plant operators and project developers on the transformation of the energy industry from a centralised, conventional energy supply to a decentralised supply from renewable energies (energy transition).
With his expertise in energy law, he supports the realisation of onshore and offshore wind farms, solar power plants and energy storage facilities. He also advises on the ramp-up of a hydrogen economy, with a particular focus on decarbonising the transport and industrial sectors.
He supports energy and district heating supply companies in transforming the heat supply for buildings and industry to a climate-neutral heat supply (heat transition).
Main areas of expertise:
- Regulation of the energy industry under the Energiewirtschaftsgesetz (EnWG)
- Promotion of renewable energy plants in accordance with the Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz (EEG), the Windenergie-auf-See-Gesetz (WindSeeG) and combined heat and power plants in accordance with the Kraft-Wärme-Kopplungsgesetz (KWKG)
- Offshore wind farm operators on compensation claims due to disruptions, delays and maintenance of the grid connection of offshore wind farms in accordance with Section 17e EnWG
- Renewable energy plants on financial compensation claims in connection with redispatch measures
- District heating supply companies regarding the Verordnung über allgemeine Bedingungen für die Versorgung mit Fernwärme (AVBFernwärmeV)
- Energy generation plants and battery storage facilities regarding grid connection and grid usage in accordance with the EnWG and the Kraftwerks-Netzanschlussverordnung (KraftNAV)
- Design, legal structuring and implementation of decentralised energy supply solutions, in particular contracting, tenant electricity and neighbourhood concepts
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating direct marketing agreements and power purchase agreements (PPA) for the marketing of electricity from renewable energies
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating electricity, gas and heat supply contracts
- Advising companies on grid fees, levies and charges, in particular concession fees, § 19-StromNEV levies, CHP levies and offshore grid levies
- Enforcement and defence of claims in judicial and extrajudicial disputes in the energy sector
Thorsten Kirch is a founding member of the Legal Advisory Board of the German Offshore Wind Energy Association (BWO) and author of numerous publications on energy law.
Languages
German
English
Career
2024
GÖRG
Counsel
2019
GÖRG
Associated partner
2013
Energy supply company
Client Secondment
2013
Admitted to the bar
2011-2013
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Advisor in the legal department
Legal advice for management and specialist departments
Coordination of legislation and litigation
2007-2010
Cologne Higher Regional Court
Legal clerkship
2002-2007
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Study of law
Focus: Constitutional and administrative law; public commercial law
Memberships and awards
German Bar Association (DAV)
Cologne Bar Association (KAV)
EEHH - Renewable Energy Hamburg Cluster Agency
WAB - The Wind Energy Agency
Legal advisory board of the German Wind Energy Association Offshore (BWO)
Aqua Ventus Förderverein e. V.
Teaching activities and lectures
Compensation for delays and disruptions to grid connection – Current developments and need for reform of Section 17e EnWG, WAB Legal Offshore Day, 3 December 2025, Bremen
Damage compensation and investment security – Why Section 17e EnWG must be reformed! BWO Expertise, 30 October 2025, online
Reform of Section 24 AVBFernwärmeV – A never-ending story? Municipal heat transition through district heating supply, 18 September 2025, Cologne
Legal framework for direct supply from renewable energies – Ways to sustainable and cost-effective energy supply via PPAs, NRW.Energy4Climate, 24 March 2025, online
The production of green hydrogen by offshore wind turbines – Is the legal framework suitable for the offshore hydrogen ramp-up? WAB Legal Offshore Day, 27 November 2024, Bremen
The tendering of centrally pre-examined areas for offshore wind turbines according to qualitative criteria, WAB Legal Offshore Day, 8 November 2023, Bremen
Promotion of tenant electricity, GÖRG – Real Estate Breakfast, 21 June 2022, Cologne
Offshore wind energy in Germany 2021 – Update and outlook, 18 February 2021, online
