COBALT has been shortlisted at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards 2026 in the Innovative Lawyers in Infrastructure category for its work on landmark energy storage projects in Estonia.
Recognising regulatory innovation
The recognition highlights COBALT’s role in helping transform Estonia’s regulatory framework for energy storage systems, paving the way for one of the country’s fastest-growing energy sectors.
Working alongside our clients, Managing Associate Mart Blöndal led and coordinated a complex legislative process involving market participants, government authorities, the Estonian Parliament and the transmission system operator. Through strategic legal advice, legislative drafting and stakeholder negotiations, the team helped accelerate regulatory reforms that would typically take years, enabling critical changes within months.
The resulting reforms removed key barriers to electricity storage development, introduced energy storage into Estonia’s Electricity Market Act and created a modern legal framework that supports grid-scale energy storage. These changes have contributed to a rapid increase in energy storage projects, strengthening energy security and supporting the integration of renewable energy. Today, Estonia is recognised as one of Europe’s most attractive markets for electricity storage investment.
The shortlist reflects the significance of the project and its broader impact on the development of Estonia’s energy market. We are proud to have supported our client in helping bring these reforms to life.
Awards ceremony
FT Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards 2026 winners will be announced at the awards ceremony held at the Natural History Museum in London on 24 September.
View the full shortlist here.
FT Innovative Lawyers Awards
The FT Innovative Lawyers Awards, organised by the Financial Times in partnership with RSGI, are among the legal industry’s most prestigious international awards, recognising law firms, in-house legal teams and individuals that demonstrate innovation, strategic thinking and measurable client impact. The awards celebrate organisations that are redefining legal services through outstanding client work, technology, business transformation and leadership.
