Addleshaw Goddard remains active on behalf of lenders, developers and investors on an array of renewables and energy transition projects, and has looked to bolster its market offering through the hire of David Cruickshank from Dentons and Steven McAllister from Davidson Chalmers Stewart, who both arrived in 2023. The firm has established strength in regulatory and development issues, including energy consenting, grid, and environmental concerns, and has a roster of landmark projects that require a global, multi-disciplinary team of specialists. Helming the practice is Alan Shanks, an esteemed M&A and financing adviser who has most recently been active on wind, solar and EV charging mandates. Co-lead David McEwing handles M&A and PE transactions for a number of large-cap sponsors and asset managers, while co-head Sarah Baillie has been prolific in the clean tech space, overseeing battery storage, liquid air storage, and carbon capture storage ventures. Suzanne Moir is vital to public sector clients due to her extensive procurement proficiencies, and Fiona Gordon handles a varied stream of contentious and non-contentious planning and environment instructions in both the public and private sector.

Brodies LLP ‘has a strong offering in the energy space across multiple legal disciplines’ and delivers astute advice to an array of investment managers, energy operators, and utilities. Renewables projects remain a flagship component of the team’s work, with both onshore and offshore wind and associated battery storage facilities regularly at the fore. Further engagement with pumped hydro, district heating and hydrogen projects are also evident in the team's portfolio of mandates. Spearheading the practice is Keith Patterson who is equally proficient across M&A and project finance and has been recently active on a number of substantial greenfield projects. Co-head Kirsty Macpherson is a key name for developers and landowners seeking development counsel, and is well-regarded for her specialist crofting advice. Sarah-Jane McArthur ‘is widely recognised for her breadth and depth of experience in the heat networks sector’ and is ‘informed by a deep understanding of both the Scottish and wider UK market and of the emerging regulatory framework’, while Alix Bearhop advises on a range of assets from a real estate perspective. The renewables-focused Claire Reid and Donna Cooper also come recommended for their far-reaching practices.

CMS handles high-end M&A, project finance, development, procurement and disputes work for an enviable roster of large-cap sponsors, global developers, and financial institutions across the full breadth of energy assets, including notable engagement with onshore and offshore wind, hydrogen, battery storage and CCUS, and nuclear projects. The strong planning and consenting practice is coupled with deep-founded environmental and regulatory expertise and ensures the team is frequently instructed on large-scale, multifaceted developments requiring multiple assets and complex grid connection issues. Team lead Chris McGarvey ‘is a first-class energy lawyer’ and is noted for the breadth of his asset understanding and technical expertise. Co-head Robin Hutchinson specialises in planning work and is highly active in the renewable space, while fellow team-leads Gordon Hay and Darren Craig have a strong body of work focused on project finance. Co-head Frank Fowlie has a background in M&A, and Kirsty Nurse is a crucial contact for developers due to her dual-proficiency in commercial and financing affairs. Promoted to partner in May 2023, Vini Cowden takes on infrastructure-related mandates, with close engagement with carbon capture, and Laura Sefton has recently been active on heat network and digital infrastructure projects. Kathryn Nolin also comes recommended, while Fenella Mason joined in September 2023 from Burness Paull LLP.

As a ‘commercially minded firm that understands the market and key issues’, Pinsent Masons LLP is well-positioned to advise a host of pension and infrastructure funds on a variety of low carbon assets and projects, as well as traditional oil and gas clients engaging with renewables and energy transition work. While onshore and offshore wind continues to be a flagship component of the team’s work, the firm is also active in district heating, battery storage and landmark hydrogen and pumped hydro projects. Ian McCarlie and Ronan Lambe co-lead the practice, with the former largely active across the entire renewable projects space, and the latter recognised for his specialism in power purchase agreements and emerging technologies. Jennifer Ballantyne is chiefly focused on the property, planning and environmental aspects of energy developments, and often works alongside Gary McGovern who is another expert in planning matters. Nicholas Carlin ‘is a very experienced construction and offshore wind lawyer and a particular expert in turbine supply contracts’, while Gillian Frew takes the lead on financing instructions. James Todd supports a range of matters and is highly capable handling financing and regulatory issues.

The ‘technically prepared, savvy and hands-on’ team at Shepherd and Wedderburn combines transactional, finance, and development expertise to act on an impressive portfolio of renewables and low carbon projects, acting for top energy developers and operators. The firm demonstrates high levels of activity in onshore and offshore wind, carbon capture and battery storage projects, and hydro and hydrogen schemes, while also possessing a strong body of contentious work with regards to grid connections, application appeals, and project overlaps. Team lead Clare Foster is a seasoned finance expert, while co-lead Colin Robertson is a go-to for investors and developers for real estate issues affecting both brownfield and greenfield sites, and Colin Innes is highly reputed for his planning expertise, especially in regard to offshore and onshore wind consenting. Co-head John Morrison‘s possesses a far-reaching corporate practice spanning joint ventures, M&A, and private equity transactions, while fellow team lead Scott McCallum is sought out for his environmental and contentious expertise. Co-head Susan Swan is key for grid and offtake arrangements and leads the low carbon sub-sector group alongside construction and procurement specialist Euan Murray.

Burness Paull LLP has a team of ‘true subject matter experts, which assists clients to quickly get to the heart of the relevant topic and issue’. The firm is well positioned to act on a host of projects, representing international energy companies, developers and local authorities on both early stage and operational asset work. The team underpins M&A and project development expertise with key regulatory know-how and has notable presence in the renewables, low-carbon and clean tech spaces. Bob Ruddiman leads the practice, and Peter Ward is very active in the onshore and offshore wind space and is able to provide crucial insights in grid connections, off-take agreements, and power-purchase agreements. The ‘dynamic, experienced, well-connected and knowledgeable’ Neil Bruce is chiefly focused on the property aspects of energy sector work, and Sophie Coffey engages closely with funds and lenders on project finance mandates. Nicky Pascoe is lauded for her ‘first-rate and deep knowledge’, especially with regards to the real estate aspects of developments, while Ashley Flanagan, who has a similarly focused practice, has embedded understanding of nuclear assets. Mark Kirke and Linda Tinson joined in May 2023 from CMS and Ledingham Chalmers LLP, respectively.

Assisting a wide array of clients including landowners, developers and investors, Anderson Strathern has established strength advising on the planning, property and regulatory aspects of key projects in the Scottish market, with a large focus on onshore and offshore wind and solar matters. M&A and joint ventures also remain a core elements of the practice, as well as a growing number of clean tech and emerging energy assets matters. Practice head Bruce Farquhar is a go-to name for transactional work and is a key adviser for the firm’s extensive roster of renewable energy clients. Co-head Martin Whiteford has an extensive scope of asset engagement and has recently been involved with wind, hydrogen, tidal, and anaerobic digestion gas projects. Property specialist Dixcee Fast, rural land expert Sheonagh Richards, and planning and environment professional Chris Devlin act as further team heads.

Burges Salmon LLP has a strong record in cradle to grave delivery on a range of energy projects, including solar, offshore wind, hydroelectricity, and CCUS. In particular, the firm has a notable focus on handling project development instructions, often supporting on the consenting, land acquisition, and construction side of ventures. Team head Craig Whelton is chiefly recognised for his planning and consenting work and also regularly acts as advocate in planning hearings and inquiries. Danny Lee is sought out by a number of multinational strategics for his corporate finance expertise, while Stuart McMillan is especially well-regarded for his project finance specialism. Promoted to partner in 2023, Claire MacLean leverages her real estate background to counsel investors, developers and funders on an array of project development issues. Gregor Hayworth comes recommended for his contentious practice.

Frequently sought out by domestic and international industry players and public authorities for its astute M&A, finance, development expertise, Dentons is an active presence in the Scottish market, handling marquee projects across all asset types, with a notable stream of mandates pertaining to hydrogen, carbon capture, and battery storage. The firm is especially well regarded for its deep regulatory knowledge, as well as its equity investment work. Gareth Tenner oversees a number of the firm’s key client relationships and is chiefly focused on the renewables space, advising a roster of developers, lenders and investors. Carolyn Burns is the key figure for regulatory counsel and handles a variety of arrangements and licenses, as well as grid issues. Brian Hutcheson and Paul Flynn also come recommended.

Possessing a team of ‘highly capable and committed‘ advisers, Gillespie Macandrew LLP provides a wide-ranging offering and is particularly well-positioned to act on the development, regulatory and commercial aspects of renewable projects, particularly in the onshore and offshore space. Land, planning, consenting and regulatory issues continue to be a prominent feature of the firm’s workload. Derek McCulloch spearheads the practice and advises on corporate and commercial instructions, while Amy McDowell is a strong choice for wind projects and covers an array of issues, from crofting work to grid connections. Simon Williams acts on joint ventures, commercial agreements and project developments, and is highly knowledgeable of energy transition and clean tech ventures. Colin Hamilton is recommended for his wind and grid expertise, whereas Rae Gilchrist is noted for her supporting presence across the full range of practice matters.

Harper Macleod LLP has a strong client base that instructs its energy and natural resources team on a number of key Scottish projects, with wind, solar, and battery storage work continually at the fore. The firm is well-geared to act on a wide body of contentious work, including increased climate change litigation, and has an active secondary market offering. Helming the practice is Omar Ali, who is highly proficient in advising on the property and real estate aspects of large-scale projects, especially in regard to grid connection offers and planning routes. Pamela Todd ‘provides first-class support’ to developers and investors with extensive activity in the wind space, while Lewis Hendry has a broad remit of work. David Bone retired in April 2024.

As a result of a merger which combined entrenched expertise in developer and landowner-focused advice, Morton Fraser MacRoberts has a robust projects practice that is able to assist clients across the entire energy space. The firm has extensive experience overseeing the development and commercial aspects of substantial renewable projects, with specialist planning, crofting and regulatory acumen; it has also recently been engaged with significant M&A and PE transactions, complex procurement instructions, and public inquiries. Team lead Nick Jones‘ broad skillset is frequently utilised by wind developers for both early stage and operational commercial advice. Gail Watt is an agriculture and rural property specialist, often addressing key issues affecting the development and extension of renewable builds. Douglas Milne acts for a range of developers and public authorities on planning issues, while Nick Atkins is a nuclear expert.

Lauded as ‘dedicated, hard working, technically sound and providing commercial, pragmatic and pragmatic advice’, TLT is trusted by a number of key energy players, developers and funders in the Scottish market for M&A, project development, and project finance counsel, demonstrating a strong understanding of renewables and energy transition assets. Damien Bechelli leads the team and oversees energy portfolio acquisitions and disposals. Joanna Hamilton is an energy-focused real estate lawyer, while Amy Campbell, who also has a real estate background, chiefly focuses on investments and project development work. Nick Shenken joined the firm in February 2024.

Lauded for its ‘depth of experience and knowledge of the sector’, BTO Solicitors LLP advises renewable operators, developers and landowners on the full suite of commercial and development issues, most notably option agreements and leases. Recent projects include wind, solar, hydro, EV charging infrastructure, and battery storage facility matters. Nicolas McBride and Scott Wyper co-lead the practice, with the former reputed for his real estate and property acumen and the latter for his funding and project structuring expertise. Emma Barclay and Marieclaire Reid also come recommended for their development and financing knowledge.

‘A real gem in the Scottish market’, Davidson Chalmers Stewart is an established adviser to a range of clients active in the renewable energy space, demonstrating a high level of activity on onshore and offshore wind; the group adeptly manages the property, planning, land access, development, and corporate aspects, acting for both new and established ventures. Solar, battery storage and grid instructions also feature in its varied book of work. Team lead Andy Drane focuses on the landowner side of complex projects and is well placed to act across the full range of renewable assets. The real estate and property-focused Nicola Scott enjoys close connections to a multitude of energy providers and developers and possesses a similarly broad renewables practice, while Laura Tainsh is chiefly noted for her commercial, regulatory and environmental acumen. Henrietta Talbot spearheads a number of client instructions, especially those with a landowner focus.

Fielding a ‘partner-led, commercial, experienced and pragmatic’ team, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP shows considerable expertise regarding wind, battery storage, hydrogen and district heating projects, handling joint ventures, commercial agreements, project financings, and disputes for established energy players across the UK. Richard Cockburn is the firm’s national head of energy and oversees a range of developer and contractor client relationships and project instructions. Paul Mason has expertise in commercial property work, while Chris McLauchlan is highly adept at real estate finance mandates.

‘Providing a well-rounded, comprehensive service to clients with sound knowledge of the sector’, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP provides a strong projects service that is especially geared towards the early stage of projects, including the planning, consenting and environmental aspects of multi-faceted renewable builds. Helming the practice is Andrew McFarlane, who is regularly called upon for his ability to project manage a variety of complex energy ventures and works closely with landowners and developers. Fraser Gillies is an onshore wind specialist and heads up the firm’s planning division, often working alongside Nicola Martin, who demonstrates a similar calibre of planning expertise; the duo provide pre-application advice and assessment report assistance. Esme Macfarlane is noted for her broad practice and has recently focused on battery storage mandates, and Elizabeth Tainsh is also a key name to note.