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Funding
Funding
- We provide advice at every stage of financing and refinancing to support project viability.
- We carry out funding reviews and bankability assessments to help attract investment.
- We support equity investment transactions and joint venture arrangements.
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Feasibility
Feasibility
- We conduct title checks and land referencing to confirm ownership and access rights.
- We review planning policies and permissions to identify risks early.
- We offer advice on grid connection options, corporate structuring, and overall project bankability.
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Pre-construction
Pre-construction
- We prepare option agreements and secure other land rights needed for development.
- We help obtain planning permissions and other statutory consents.
- We support clients through Compulsory Purchase Orders and public enquiries.
- We advise on grid connection and grid sharing agreements.
- We draft off-taker agreements and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
- We assist with private wire agreements for direct energy supply.
- We manage consultant appointments and related contracts.
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Construction and operation
Construction and operation
- We draft and negotiate construction contracts tailored to the project
- We prepare agreements for plant and equipment procurement
- We support the setup of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contracts
- We advise on procurement strategies and ensure regulatory compliance
- We help meet health and safety obligations
- We provide guidance on employment law and immigration matters
- We resolve disputes related to planning, real estate, construction, and commercial issues.
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Project extension
Project extension
- We extend land rights to support continued project operation.
- We manage renewals and extensions of planning and other consents.
- We modify and extend grid connection agreements as needed.
- We handle disputes related to re-powering and operational changes.
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Sales and acquisitions
Sales and acquisitions
- We advise on project disposals and acquisitions, including mergers and acquisitions.
- We support equity investment and joint venture structuring.
Energy & Renewables
With Scotland at the forefront, the UK is leading the way in renewable energy, supported by strong government backing and a commitment to climate goals for 2045 and beyond. Scotland is recognised globally for its innovation and leadership in the sector and MFMac is proud to have advised key players behind some of the most significant energy projects driving this transformation.
Delivering new energy and driving value
Our Energy & Renewables team of 40 lawyers brings deep sector knowledge and over 30 years’ experience delivering projects across the UK. We advise developers, generators, landowners, funders, network operators, supply chain providers, public bodies and commercial power users.
We’ve supported some of the UK’s most significant renewable and grid infrastructure projects, spanning wind, solar, hydro, BESS, nuclear, energy from waste, district heating, EV charging and transmission networks.
Our experts cover the full project lifecycle – from land, planning and environmental, regulatory and grid, to funding, construction, operation, employment, disputes and corporate structuring. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Partnership across the project lifecycle
We understand what it takes to bring an energy or renewables project to life.
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Project profile ITPEnergised
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Project profile Re-Power
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Project profile Biogas in Aberdeenshire
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Project profile Realise Energy Services
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Project profile Thistle Wind Partners
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Project profile Scottish Wind Farm
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Project profile Welsh wind farm
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Project profile SSE Energy Solutions
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Energy & Renewables insights
Bridging the gap: Why Scotland needs a clearer metric for renewables and environmental protection
Scotland’s renewable energy ambitions are accelerating – and rightly so. With vast natural resources and world-leading targets, the country is well-placed to lead the global energy transition. However, as large-scale developments ramp up, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, questions are growing about the impact on the natural environment.
Offshore wind sector needs successful CfD round
The largest renewable energy conference in the UK returned to its home in Glasgow last week, and it could not be facing a more challenging environment. The UK is about to see network growth on a scale not seen in decades, all to support a 50% rise in electricity use by homes and businesses over the next 10 years and a doubling of the amount of onshore wind in the same period.
Hydrogen offtake arrangements - are they taking off?
To support the UK government’s target of achieving 10GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030, the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund was introduced to provide upfront capital funding, while the Hydrogen Business Model was launched to offer revenue support.
Our Energy & Renewables experts
With a team of 40, our legal offering is large enough to handle any energy or renewables project.
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David McGuire
PartnerDavid is co-lead of MFMac's Energy & Renewables Group and sits on the Energy Law Sub-Committee of the Law Society of Scotland. He is a commercial property expert with a strong focus on renewable energy and advises developers, landowners and network operators on projects including onshore and offshore wind, solar, hydro and EV charging.
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Bonar Mercer
PartnerBonar is a corporate transaction lawyer and co-lead of MFMac's Energy & Renewables Group. He specialises in advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, investment deals, and joint ventures within the renewables and energy services sector. Known for his strategic insight and collaborative leadership, Bonar regularly leads multi-disciplinary teams through complex, cross-border transactions. In 2023, he deepened his industry expertise during a nine-month secondment with a UK-listed energy and renewables company.
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Emma Carmichael-Stewart
Legal DirectorEmma is Head of MFMac's England & Wales real estate team. She regularly advises clients on all real estate aspects of energy projects south of the border and provides real estate advice to a range of energy clients on wider corporate and banking transactions.
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Billy Kay
PartnerBilly is a partner in MFMac's banking and finance team. He has particular expertise in funding and refinancing renewable energy projects and regularly advises on the Scottish funding aspects of cross border and international transactions.
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Isobell Reid
PartnerIsobell is a partner in MFMac's planning and environmental team. She regularly advises clients on all planning and environmental matters relating to their energy projects and has extensive experience in compulsory purchase and necessary wayleaves under the Electricity Act 1989.
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Mike Barlow
PartnerMike is a partner in MFMac's non-contentious construction team. He has a particular focus on energy & renewables and regularly advises clients on professional appointments, building and engineering contracts, collateral warranties, bonds and guarantees during the construction, operation and repowering of projects.
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Gail Watt
Legal DirectorGail is a legal director in MFMac's rural property team and sits on the Law Society of Scotland's Energy Law Reform Committee. She regularly advises landowners and developers across a range of technologies.
