John Danahy

Biography

Language - English

John acts for leading international fund, investor, developer and operator clients, and helps them to realise their commercial objectives across all forms of new energy / renewables, nuclear (new build and decommissioning), large scale gas, distributed energy networks, demand response, infrastructure, power cables and pipelines.

He has nearly two decades of experience in the nuclear sector advising on projects of national significance such as all UK nuclear new builds, major decommissioning transactions involving the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate and international nuclear developers, including the fuel cycle and waste disposal.

John has strong capability in delivering projects from early inception, site assembly and land acquisition, permitting, consenting and early works through to final investment decision and project finance and construction. End of life experience includes decommissioning, remediation, revocation of consents and ultimately, disposal or next use. His breadth of expertise also spans involvement in multi-disciplinary teams focused on the acquisition, disposal and financing of major energy projects often cross-border or multi-jurisdictional in nature.

John has also co-founded a number of legal AI startups, including Contract Genetica and Dxta.ai. He is also founder of the nuclear sector focussed YouTube channel, Lex Atomica.

Experience

A Major Global Energy Generation Company
- Advised on the real estate and nuclear regulatory aspects of a new gigawatt nuclear power plant, including structuring, phasing, relicensing strategy, grant of rights, support of the Development Consent Order, termination of occupational interests and the novel establishment of strategies for future co-existence of adjoining nuclear sites over long time horizons (i.e. construction, commissioning, generation, life extension, closure and decommissioning to end state).
- Advised on the selldown of a 49% stake in a large onshore and offshore wind farm portfolio, managing external counsel in relation to a significant number of sites, in a deal with an enterprise value of £1.4 billion.
China General Nuclear Power Corporation

Advised on its c£10 billion co-investment in new nuclear power plants in the UK.
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

Advised on its disposal of Springfields Fuels Ltd to Westinghouse, including decommissioning and future site investment arrangements in a transaction valued at c£500 million including support of the crichel downs analysis.

Sellafield Ltd

Advised on the £750 million Evaporator D project addressing complex logistical matters for the landing and transport of large pre-fabricated modules being brought onto the Sellafield nuclear licensed site.
Friends Life

Advised on the long term leasing of Barking Rail Freight depot to a leading European rail freight operator and the subsequent sale of the site to Legal & General.
Thameslink Limited

Advised as operator on the development of two new light maintenance rail depots in connection with the multi-billion pound Thameslink rolling stock upgrade project.
A Leading Investment Manager

Advised on its acquisition, for a US client, of a large prime City office building for c£200 million for extensive redevelopment.
AXA REIM

Advised on the corporate portfolio acquisition of two large central London hotels for c£180m, co-investing with a leading Danish pension fund.