CMS combines deep sectoral knowledge with national reach, advising across the full lifecycle of onshore and offshore wind, solar, hydro, battery, hydrogen and CCUS projects. The team is known for delivering cohesive, cross-practice support on complex energy mandates and has the ability to leverage corporate, finance and projects expertise. Team head Chris McGarvey has a broad practice that involves close connection with sponsors, funders and the public sector, with a notable focus on overseas projects. Jenny Allan and co-head Gordon Hay are chiefly recognised for their expertise in project finance, while co-head Robin Hutchison is experienced in both contentious and non-contentious planning matters. Co-heads Frank Fowlie and Craig Wilson lead on renewables M&A from Aberdeen, and Kirsty Nurse provides crucial project development expertise, particularly in relation to supply agreements and EPC contracts. Laura West, who was promoted to partner in 2024, adds further strength in construction. Laura Sefton also comes recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP advises on project M&A, financing, planning and regulation mandates across the renewables lifecycle, with standout expertise in offshore wind, hydrogen, CCUS and supply chain infrastructure. Acting for developers, lenders and corporates, the team handles complex transactional, regulatory and commercial mandates across wind, solar, battery, and decentralised energy projects. Team head Ian McCarlie continues to lead on high-value matters across Scotland and the wider UK, with a strong focus on offshore wind. Co-head Ronan Lambe has developed a niche advising major retail and consumer clients on corporate power purchase agreements, while Jennifer Ballantyne is widely recognised for her expertise in planning and consenting. Nicholas Carlin advises on supply chain issues, and Gillian Frew is frequently instructed by both lenders and borrowers for her finance capabilities. Other key names include M&A specialist Brian Thumath, property expert David Ross, and district heating expert Graham Wallace.

Acting for leading developers, investors, and government-backed institutions, Shepherd and Wedderburn advises on offshore and onshore renewables, hydrogen, CCUS, and transmission issues. Recognised for its strength in specialist areas such as aviation matters and ports, the firm regularly leads on complex multi-phase projects across the UK and is highly active in the energy transition space. Team head Clare Foster’s strong market reputation continues to drive a significant flow of project finance mandates. Co-head Scott McCallum is a trusted adviser on planning matters for a broad spectrum of domestic and international developers, while co-head John Morrison brings notable experience in energy-related M&A and private equity transactions. Craig Whelton handles consenting issues across a range of renewables and energy transition projects, and Susan Swan advises on grid connection and offtake arrangements. Tom Swan is well regarded for his M&A and corporate finance work, while Colin Robertson and Colin Innes contribute complimentary expertise in real estate and planning work.

Addleshaw Goddard acts across the full project lifecycle on renewables, hydrogen, CCUS, storage, and transmission mandates. The team combines strong regulatory and real estate capabilities with experience in both contentious and transactional work, and is regularly instructed on complex energy developments across Scotland and beyond. Alan Shanks and Sarah Baillie co-head the practice, with the former noted for the breadth of his practice that includes greenfield and brownfield M&A and financings, and the latter for her market-leading planning and consenting expertise. Steven McAllister leverages previous in-house experience to provide strategic advice on real estate, M&A and finance matters, while Suzanne Moir is known for her public sector procurement work. Gordon Anderson is highly skilled in construction and engineering contracts, and Fiona Gordon is a key figure in the team for contentious issues. Sheila Mackintosh also comes recommended.

With a strong record in project finance, PPA and regulatory matters, Brodies LLP continues to lead on cutting-edge developments spanning onshore and offshore wind, hydro, hydrogen, energy storage, and tidal stream technologies, with an extensive client roster that includes developers, investors, contractors and landowners. Team head Keith Patterson has a broad practice that involves M&A, joint ventures, project developments and regulatory matters, while co-head Kirsty Macpherson is highlighted for the breadth of her asset knowledge and activity on complex brownfield transactions. Sarah-Jane McArthur is widely praised for her work regarding district heating ventures, where she is considered a ‘leading legal voice‘, and Claire Reid leverages real estate expertise on large-scale renewable developments. Donna Cooper and Iain Baird support the team.

Burness Paull LLP advises across the full lifecycle of energy projects and is particularly active on regulatory, planning, corporate and construction mandates. The team continues to advise on emerging technologies including hydrogen and CCUS issues, while a growing portfolio of ESG-linked work includes handling complex private wire and heat network projects for clients across the housing, industrial and manufacturing sectors. Bob Ruddiman and Chris Gotts lead the team from Aberdeen and Glasgow respectively. Peter Ward is a key figure for a wide array of developers, utilities and lenders, demonstrating impressive activity in the offshore wind, solar and battery storage spaces. Neil Bruce is well-regarded for his skill in energy-focused M&A and financing and also acts as a crucial part of the firm’s real estate offering. Sophie Coffey provides further finance capabilities, whereas Nicky Pascoe is highlighted for her real estate work.

Burges Salmon LLP advises on the full lifecycle of renewable and alternative energy projects in Scotland, with particular strength in regulatory, corporate, and project development matters. The team regularly acts for major developers, investors, and lenders on complex mandates across technologies including offshore wind, hydrogen, solar, and battery storage-related issues. Danny Lee helms the practice and is regularly sought out for his ability to handle complex M&A and PE transactions involving a broad spectrum of energy assets. Stuart McMillan is a go-to for project finance expertise, while Malcolm Donald has a broad corporate and commercial offering that involves M&A, commercial agreements and regulatory issues. Patrick Munro, Gregor Hayworth and Niall Mackle also come recommended.

Gillespie Macandrew LLP advises on the full range of renewable energy projects across Scotland, England, and Wales, with particular strength in land, planning, and regulatory matters. The firm is active on onshore wind extensions, grid infrastructure issues and co-located hydrogen, battery and solar developments. Team head Derek McCulloch has a strong track record in brownfield M&A and PE transactions. Amy McDowell is active on large-scale onshore and offshore wind projects, advising both landowners and developers, while Simon Williams leads on major battery, solar and hydrogen matters, bringing extensive project development experience. Colin Hamilton and Alan White contribute planning and crofting expertise respectively, with Rae Gilchrist and Tessa Petrides offering broad support across the team.

Harper Macleod LLP maintains a prominent position in Scotland’s renewables sector, advising on a broad range of assets including large-scale onshore wind portfolios, battery storage projects, pumped hydro schemes, solar PV developments, and offshore wind cable infrastructure. Team head Omar Ali advises developers, funders, landowners, and public authorities across the full project lifecycle, from development and financing work through to secondary market transactions. Pamela Todd is frequently instructed on complex wind projects, while Lewis Hendry handles brownfield M&A, often working alongside Steven King on associated real estate matters. Alexander Johnson also comes recommended.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts advises across the full spectrum of renewables, with strength in real estate, planning, construction, and M&A work. The team handles onshore and offshore wind, battery storage, solar, hydrogen, and nuclear decommissioning matters, regularly acting on complex, cross-border and nationally significant infrastructure projects. Bonar Mercer and David McGuire co-lead the practice, with Mercer noted for his work with sponsors on M&A transactions, and McGuire praised for his ‘expertise, reliability and responsiveness’, particularly across real estate, regulatory, and commercial mandates. Nick Jones draws on over 35 years of commercial property experience to support a diverse range of projects, while Isobell Reid adds further depth in contentious and non-contentious environmental and planning matters. Mike Barlow is a go-to adviser on bespoke construction contracts for employers and developers, and Gail Watt is recommended for her real estate expertise. Craig Fulton widely supports.

Anderson Strathern is recognised for its work across wind, solar, and battery storage projects, advising major European developers, manufacturers, and landowners. It also has a strong track record in supporting novel and community-based energy schemes involving emerging technologies. Team head Bruce Farquhar is principally noted for his brownfield M&A work and attracts instructions from a wide pool of developer clients. Co-head Martin Whiteford offers a broad practice that includes procurement and construction expertise, and fellow co-head Dixcee Fast covers real estate matters.

With expertise spanning planning, property, corporate, regulatory, and crofting matters, Davidson Chalmers Stewart is active across all stages of renewable energy projects, including consenting, disputes, and transactional work. The team handles projects involving wind, solar, storage, and green tech, and is noted for its work in both investor- and community-led schemes. Team head Andy Drane is a trusted adviser to a broad range of landowners, particularly on project delivery matters. Nicola Scott is well placed to support wind and hydropower projects, while Laura Tainsh is a key contact for environment-related issues. Henrietta Talbot also comes recommended.

Dentons offers broad energy sector expertise across regulatory, transactional, and financing matters, with a strong focus on energy transition technologies. The team regularly advises government bodies on major market reforms and supports private clients on high-value energy M&A, project development, and infrastructure investment in Scotland and beyond. Gareth Tenner leads the group and provides astute project development advice across a wide variety of assets and clients. Carolyn Burns is a trusted adviser to the UK government on significant energy transition initiatives, specialising in regulatory and commercial matters.

Praised for its ‘deep sector knowledge and practical, solution-oriented mindset‘, TLT is deeply embedded in the Scottish clean energy market, advising on complex, high-value transactions across a broad range of technologies. Demonstrating wide asset engagement, the firm has a particularly strong track record in energy storage, hydro, wind, and solar matters. Team head Nick Shenken has a far-reaching corporate and commercial practice which involves M&A, commercial agreements, and project development instructions. Damien Bechelli provides further support on brownfield acquisitions and disposals.

BTO Solicitors LLP offers comprehensive legal expertise across the full spectrum of clean energy projects, including wind, hydro, solar, and battery storage issues. The team has seen notable growth in advising clients on emerging areas, particularly around carbon-neutral transitions, EV chargers, and related infrastructure, supporting both commercial developers and funders. Scott Wyper leads the team, specialising in M&A, finance, and various commercial arrangements. Co-head Nicholas McBride combines strong finance expertise with significant property knowledge, recently active in large battery storage projects, hydro ventures, and negotiating sub-leases with electric charge operators for retail clients. David Gibson and Emma Barclay bring additional strength in real estate and finance, respectively.

Eversheds Sutherland’s Scottish energy team is active on high-profile projects across Scotland and the wider UK, including major offshore wind, pumped hydro, and battery storage developments. The practice is jointly led by Alan Cook, who provides wide-ranging real estate advice to sponsors and developers; James Gibson, a key contact for planning and consenting mandates; and Euan Smith, who brings employment law expertise to complex energy matters. Christine Barnsley and Alexander Middleton provide additional support across a variety of instructions.

Thorntons provides legal support across all stages of renewable energy projects, including wind, solar and hydro matters, and emerging technologies like hydrogen and battery storage, and specialises in planning issues, contracts, funding work, and dispute resolution. Spearheading the practice is Ewan Miller who advises a wealth of public and private sector clients on commercial real estate matters from Dundee. Christopher Lindley advises on the buying, selling and leasing of rural property, and Kenneth Mackay focuses on agricultural tenancies and contracting arrangements.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP has long-standing experience across all stages of UK renewable development, from advising on offshore and onshore wind projects to supporting emerging technologies such as hydrogen, CCUS, and district heating projects, with particular strength in regulatory and infrastructure work. Richard Cockburn leads the team and is active for a strong roster of domestic and multinational sponsors, developers and funders. Further names of note include Paul Mason, Chris McLauchlan and Lisa Dromgoole

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP is active across all stages of renewable energy projects, including consenting, disputes, and transactional work. The team handles projects involving wind, solar, storage, and green tech, and is noted for its work in both investor and community-led schemes. Group lead Andy MacFarlane and Fraser Gillies regularly handle the construction, commercial and regulatory issues that underpin Scottish renewable builds.