Praised for its ‘market-leading experience across the renewables market’, Burges Salmon LLP is highly regarded for its work in the energy and projects sector, often with an international dimension. Nuclear and renewable energy form part of the firm’s core focus alongside transport and defence projects. Ian Salter, a leading practitioner in the nuclear arena, leads the Bristol-based practice which also counts renewables heavyweight Ross Fairley amongst its key contacts. Mark Paterson fields extensive expertise in projects, particularly pertaining to infrastructure, technology, aerospace, defence, and nuclear. Sponsors and governmental departments regularly seek out Keith Beattie for his projects experience, while Julian Boswall frequently handles nationally significant infrastructure projects. Director Alec Whiter‘s practice encompasses matters in the net-zero, energy, and waste sectors.

Noted for its ‘very strong knowledge and practical working experience of the sector’, Ashfords LLP counts energy, waste and leisure amongst its core sectors. Project sponsors, lenders, and local authorities regularly seek out the practice’s expertise in regard to sustainability and decarbonisation projects. Brian Farrell heads the team, which is based across Exeter and Bristol, and specialises in the delivery and support of substantial energy generation and waste recourse management projects for both the public and private sector. Project finance and PFI transactions are part of Clare Brewer‘s advisory offering, while Mark Manning focuses on construction and infrastructure projects. Partner Jonathan Croley assists clients in the waste and energy sector and is praised for being ‘excellent at addressing difficult matters’. Carl Thompson, who fields extensive know-how in energy projects, joined the practice from Osborne Clarke LLP in early 2022.

Bevan Brittan LLP impresses with its ability to advise public and private sector clients throughout the full lifecycle of projects. The practice’s sector expertise stretches across a number of key sectors, such as energy, waste, social infrastructure and transport. Nadeem Arshad, who is especially knowledgeable in energy-from-waste projects, heads the team, which ‘comprises genuine leaders in their field’. Nathan Bradberry specialises in energy infrastructure projects, while Rosemary Jago covers infrastructure and PPP agreements within the health and local government sectors. Colin McConaghy advises a broad range of stakeholders on PFI and PPP projects.

Foot Anstey‘s energy and infrastructure practice is well positioned to advise clients on matters pertaining to solar energy, energy storage, and electric vehicles infrastructure. Based in Bristol, it is involved in large infrastructure projects on a domestic and international scale, and handles innovative energy areas such as green hydrogen and ammonia production. A trio consisting of renewables, energy, and energy data specialist Chris Pritchett, battery storage expert Stuart Cleak, and Ian Stubbs, who combines expertise in infrastructure and construction matters with deep knowledge of the energy sector, jointly head the practice.

Osborne Clarke LLP is a well-regarded player in the energy and utilities market, where it advises clients on the full range of related matters, including alterative fuels, decarbonisation and regulatory work. The firm also sports a strong track record in regard to renewables, and is often instructed by major national utilities companies. Head of energy Matthew Lewis and head of power and utilities Emily Van Schalkwyk lead the practice together with London-based Simon Hobday and Alistair Curzon. Alan John is well versed in renewable energy matters, with a particular focus on waste and landfill gas to energy, solar, wind, as well as biomass. Energy projects and the application of power technology are core areas for David Ferris. Carl Thompson left the firm in February 2022, while energy projects specialist Hugo Lidbetter joined from Fieldfisher in January of the same year.

TLT fields a team which is renowned for its work in the clean energy sector, where it advises clients on sales and acquisitions, joint ventures and investments, amongst others. Maria Connolly is head of the Bristol practice and has extensive experience in sustainable energy including solar, biomass, wind and hydro projects as well as electric vehicle charging and energy storage. Finance specialist Gary Roscoe and corporate partner Kay Hobbs are regularly sought out by clients for their renewables expertise alongside real estate expert Matthew Grimwood. Legal director Stuart Urquhart provides clients with contractual and regulatory advice in relation to commercial arrangements in the energy field.

Praised for its ‘unique insight into the forces at play in the market’, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP‘s South West energy and utilities practice, located in Bristol and Southampton, advises clients on a broad range of matters, from hydrogen and decarbonisation to oil and gas, and supply arrangements. It is also involved in the full spectrum of renewable technologies, where the team advises a number of domestic and international players in the market. Christopher Towner presides over the department and focuses on the commercial aspects of energy projects. Sebastian Briggs, who splits his time between Southampton and London, specialises in matters pertaining to energy and natural resources. The real estate aspects of projects are handled by Simon Hughes, while Charles Robson covers the development and financing of infrastructure projects.

Clarke Willmott LLP regularly acts for a number of engineering, procurement and construction contractors, assisting them with domestic and international projects relating to energy and natural resources. Spread across the firm’s South West offices, the team is led by Priscilla Hall, who also spearheads the firm’s construction practice and is well versed in renewable energy projects. The advisory offering of Laurence Lacey covers the property aspects of energy projects across technologies, including biogas, waste to energy, solar and wind. Bethan Evans and Hayley Steel are further key contacts. Zoe Stollard left the firm in March 2022.

Praised for its ‘incredible up-to-date knowledge of the energy sector’ and ‘excellent management skills’, Freeths LLP draws its expertise from its energy, waste and sustainability practice as well as its major projects group. Based in the firm’s Bristol office, the team fields strengths in the renewables market, particularly in regard to hydrogen transactions and battery storage. Duncan Tringham leads the practice together with corporate specialist Emily Settle and director Rhianna Wilsher, who joined the firm in September 2021 from Bird & Bird LLP. Charlotte Hugo, previously at Foot Anstey, is another new addition to the team.

GA Solicitors joins the ranking this year with an energy practice that was established in 2019 by the arrival of Helen Rumford. Since then, the firm has built a department which advises developers on a range of renewable technologies, especially wind, solar, and battery storage. James Peterson assists energy clients with corporate and commercial matter such as joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and disposals. Dispute resolution assignments are handled by Ieuan Jones, who joined the firm at the beginning of 2021 from Nash & Co.