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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Harper Macleod's team continue to provide excellent legal services and advice, demonstrate outstanding professionalism, and rightly have a well-earned reputation for excellence.'
‘Vast experience from many years of drafting and negotiating renewable energy options, leases, etc. They have ample market exposure to properly advise on industry standards, trends and how appropriate specific terms are for individual cases. They are able to lean on other experts in the wider firm on the likes of planning or corporate aspects.'
- 'The scale of projects HM cover is important to me, not least very large wind sites at all stages of feasibility, planning, construction, operation and repower.'
- 'Omar Ali, Lewis Hendry, and Steven King have practical insight, legal expertise and professionalism. Each brings a unique strength to the table, but all share a commitment to delivering commercially aware, solution-driven advice with efficiency and clarity.'
‘Omar Ali is personable and has demonstrated countless times his ability to simplify issues that could easily otherwise become overly complex. He is responsive and is a clear communicator.’
Key clients
- Fred. Olsen Renewables Limited
- Energiekontor UK Limited
- Forestry and Land Scotland
- Green Switch Capital Limited
- Biffa Limited
- Greenpeace UK
- Stream BioEnergy (Stream)
- Energiekontor UK Limited
- Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Limited
- Orkney Islands Council
Work highlights
Advising Forestry and Land Scotland on the £2.5bn Coire Glas pumped hydro storage scheme which will be the first large-scale pumped storage project to be developed in the UK for more than 40 years with a capacity of 1300MW.
Represented Greenpeace in two separate high-profile Judicial Reviews challenging consents by the UK Government to allow Shell and Equinor to produce oil and gas from the Rosebank and Jackdaw and oil gas fields respectively.
Advised Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Limited in relation to agreeing tax site delivery agreements with 10 separate landholders extending to over 512 hectares to support its key role in promoting the Green Free Port as the destination of choice for parties seeking involvement in the UK’s green energy transformation.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Omar Ali
Other key lawyers
Pamela Todd; Lewis Hendry; Steven King; Alexander Johnson