Energy and Water Law
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Practical legal insight for the systems that power, supply and connect the UK.
The GB energy and water sectors are undergoing rapid change. Net zero commitments, climate resilience, population growth and technological innovation are driving major investment in renewable energy, network infrastructure, retail and wholesale market systems and processes, alongside significant regulatory change.
We support clients operating across energy, water and the built environment, helping them navigate regulation, deliver challenging projects, and respond to fast-moving policy and market developments. Our advice is grounded in a clear understanding of how these sectors interact, particularly where energy, water and transport systems must be planned, funded and delivered together.
Our advice also reflects environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, helping clients align infrastructure delivery with regulatory expectations, investor requirements and long-term sustainability objectives.
Integrated legal advice for connected infrastructure
Power, water and transport infrastructure are increasingly connected. Decarbonisation, resilience and affordability demand integrated solutions – whether that’s maximising grid capacity through on-site offtake and innovative trading solutions or developing multi-stakeholder projects to deliver low-carbon energy to homes and businesses.
We bring multi-disciplinary expertise to provide practical, coordinated advice across the full project lifecycle and help clients manage risk, unlock value and keep projects moving, even in highly regulated environments.
Our energy and water expertise
We advise across the full energy, water and infrastructure landscape, supporting clients as they develop, deliver and operate the systems that power, supply and connect the UK. Our work spans renewable energy projects, from site acquisition and planning through to construction, offtake and funding, and hydrogen projects, including production, storage, transport, blending and commercialisation.
We also support clients on low-carbon heat, including place-based heat solutions, heat zoning and consumer protection; utility network land rights for electricity, gas, water, wastewater and telecoms infrastructure; and water and wastewater projects, from planning and environmental consenting to procurement, construction and commercial arrangements.
Our sustainable transport expertise covers EV charging, energy and grid integration, hydrogen-enabled transport, commercialisation and related regulatory requirements. We also advise on emerging technologies, evolving sector regulation, compliance and disputes.
We work with developers, funders, contractors, utilities, network operators, public bodies, landowners and infrastructure users. From site acquisition, planning and construction through to commercial arrangements, funding, regulation and dispute resolution, we bring the right specialists together to help clients manage complexity and move projects forward with confidence.
Andrew Whitehead
Partner & Head of Energy
Our energy and water legal services
Specialising in energy and water law
Integrated, sector-led expertise
Our teams operate on a multi-disciplinary basis, meaning we bring together the range of specialists needed to support energy, water and infrastructure project. Combining planning, property, procurement, commercial, regulatory, corporate, funding and disputes expertise in this way means we help you progress complex projects with clarity and confidence.
Regulatory and policy fluency
With an established and dedicated core energy regulatory team, we help you navigate evolving frameworks and policy changes, providing practical advice that supports decision-making and keeps projects on track.
Commercial and delivery focused
Many of our lawyers have worked in house, with our clients or otherwise, and thus fully appreciate your commercial objectives and delivery pressures. Acting as a part of your team, we focus on solutions that work in practice, aligned to funding, programme requirements and long-term operational realities.
ESG-integrated advice
Where ESG is part of your strategy, we help embed environmental, social and governance considerations into project delivery and governance, aligned with regulatory expectations and investor requirements.
Collaborative and forward-looking
We work with your technical, financial and policy advisers to manage risk, support innovation and deliver infrastructure that contributes to decarbonisation, resilience and sustainable growth.
Why choose Shakespeare Martineau?
- Our team offer prompt and professional service, whether through in-person meetings or virtual consultations, you can trust that our advice will be timely and professional, helping you feel confident in your legal matters, every step of the way
- We provide advice that is not only pragmatic and quick but also easy to understand. Every lawyer in our firm is approachable, helpful, and committed to offering reliable legal solutions, making the process straightforward for clients
- Our clear and easily understandable approach has kept clients coming back for years, knowing they can depend on us for comprehensive legal support time and time again
- Our clients regularly highlight the exceptional expertise and professionalism of our lawyers. Our team cares deeply about every aspect of your case, ensuring you receive a thorough and attentive service
Meet our energy and water team
Andrew Whitehead
Partner & Head of Energy
James Hawkeswood
Partner & Head of Corporate
Selina Hinchliffe
Partner & Head of Commercial Services
Eddie Flanagan
Partner
James Woolstenhulme
Partner
Peter Dilks
Partner
Tim Speed
Partner
Bhikhu Samat
Legal Director
Matthew Harris
Legal Director
Nicola Lediard
Legal Director
Sarah Evans
Senior Associate
Gabriella Norton
Solicitor
Georgia Spyrou
Solicitor
Kristine Malok
Solicitor
Charley Feenan
Chartered Legal Executive
Building a responsible business
Our commitment to sustainability and social impact
We are an accredited B Corporation that is committed to driving positive change in our communities, minimising our impact on the environment, and ensuring an all inclusive diverse and supportive culture for our people.
Wherever you are on your journey, our energy and water specialists are here to answer any questions you might have
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team, please fill out the enquiry form. We will aim to reply to your query within 2 hours
Need to talk to someone sooner? You can call use at the number below
Call Us: 0330 024 0333
energy and water FAQs
We support clients operating across energy, water and the built environment, helping them navigate regulation, deliver challenging projects, and respond to fast-moving policy and market developments. Our advice is grounded in a clear understanding of how these sectors interact.
We act for developers and project sponsors, utilities and network operators, local authorities and public bodies, investors, funders and joint-venture partners, and landowners and infrastructure users.
