When the in-house lawyer leads the green transition
From regulatory advisor to strategic partner: Marianna Vignapiano, general counsel for Europe at Enfinity Global, reveals how the legal role is evolving in the energy industry
by michela cannovale
Behind the boom in renewable energy lies more than just solar panels and wind turbines. In the world of the energy transition, while engineers and developers design increasingly efficient plants, it is often the meticulous work of corporate legal departments that determines which projects actually come to fruition. Where regulatory complexity intersects with major climate goals and substantial multi-billion-euro investments, the legal function plays a pivotal role in structuring complex deals, attracting capital, and managing the interplay between law, technology, and sustainability.
Legal professionals working in the energy transition today must master an increasingly broad range of skills — from project finance to administrative law, from ESG compliance to the complex contractual frameworks typical of large-scale green projects. While grappling with the fragmentation of permitting regimes, they must also be capable of structuring innovative financial operations and ensuring that projects are “bankable” to attract the necessary investment.
Marianna Vignapiano knows this well. As general counsel for Europe at Enfinity Global — a multinational independent power producer headquartered in the United States that generates and sells renewable energy through solar PV and battery storage projects across Europe, Asia, and the Americas — she oversees a highly specialised legal team. “Our team is made up of experts covering areas ranging from project finance to administrative, corporate and M&A law, real estate, construction law, procurement and compliance”, she told Iberian Lawyer. She emphasised: “We work in close collaboration with all other business functions and are involved in every stage of the project lifecycle, with our role having evolved from technical support to that of an operational partner”.
During our interview, we asked her to explain how the legal team can become a driver of growth and a forward-thinking interpreter of the sector’s transformation — especially within a rapidly expanding company like Enfinity Global. In 2024 alone, the company secured over €865 million to finance solar and storage projects in Italy, further strengthening its position in longterm PPAs through agreements with industrial, utility and corporate clients such as A2A, Feralpi, NovaAEG, and Statkraft. The group also boasts a pipeline of 7.8 GW across solar and storage, with 232 MW already installed, over 500 MW currently under construction, and 807 MW fully permitted. Here’s what she told us.
Let’s start with the sector you work in. How has the role of the general counsel evolved within the renewables industry?
The change has been profound. Today, inhouse counsel is part of the decision-making process and IS involved from A to Z in shaping company strategy. In my view, anyone in this role should stand out for two key qualities: a multidisciplinary outlook and the ability to navigate sector-specific regulations, extraordinary transactions, ESG matters, and financial instruments.
