Wind

We advise on the legal issues arising in relation to onshore and offshore wind projects from early-stage land rights and project structuring through to construction, operation, refinancing, repowering, disposal and decommissioning.

Land rights and site assembly

Our team advises on option agreements, leases, easements/wayleaves, cable routes and other strategic land rights required for wind generation and associated infrastructure. We regularly support landowners, developers and other stakeholders on title review, occupier issues, unregistered land, due diligence and negotiation strategy.

Planning, consenting and environment

We advise on planning and environmental issues affecting wind projects and related infrastructure, including the interaction between development proposals, ecological constraints, biodiversity considerations and wider land use objectives. We also advise on the legal and transactional implications these issues can have for project delivery.

Grid connections, cable routes and strategic infrastructure

We advise on the land, diligence and contractual issues arising from grid connections, cable corridors and associated infrastructure, including the implications of the reformed connections regime in a post-Gate 2 market.

Construction, supply chain and commercial contracts

We advise on the legal documentation and contractual arrangements required to develop, deliver and operate wind assets, including construction and procurement issues, supply chain arrangements, service agreements and wider project documentation working with specialist colleagues where appropriate.

Finance, investment and transactions

We support acquisitions, disposals, refinancing, investment and portfolio management involving wind assets and infrastructure. We advise on diligence, transaction structuring and risk allocation in a way that reflects the legal and commercial issues affecting individual projects. Our team advise on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, project financings, governance and wider commercial arrangements across major offshore wind projects.

Route to market, offtake and revenue support

We advise on the legal issues arising from route-to-market arrangements and revenue support mechanisms for wind projects, including PPAs, Contracts for Difference and other relevant policy/subsidy frameworks. This includes managing how these arrangements interact with financing, project structuring, transactions and wider risk allocation.

Repowering and emerging technologies

We advise on the legal issues arising from life extension, repowering and the introduction of new technologies, including supporting clients as the market develops around floating offshore wind and as policy, subsidy and supply chain frameworks continue to change.

Our Experience

Acquisition of a site with an existing wind turbine

We advised a client on the acquisition of a small parcel of land with a non-operational wind turbine in situ. The transaction required detailed real estate due diligence, careful analysis of title and access issues, and a payment structure linked to repair and recommissioning milestones. Alongside the acquisition, we also advised on a profit share and servicing arrangement relating to the restoration of the turbine and its future operation.

Landowner-side advice on cable route documentation for a major wind project in Norfolk

We are advising clients on the negotiation of option agreements, easements, compound leases and related documentation for cables crossing Norfolk as part of a major wind project. The work includes considering how the proposed cable route interacts with landscape-scale environmental land use, including biodiversity initiatives. We have worked closely with clients, land agents and specialist valuers on title review, unregistered land issues, due diligence and negotiation strategy, helping affected landowners respond to complex project documentation and infrastructure requirements.

Ongoing advice to landowners and occupiers affected by strategic wind infrastructure

We continue to advise a range of landowners, agricultural tenants, life tenants and other occupiers affected by cable routes and associated project infrastructure. Our work includes negotiating consent and option documentation, advising on compounds and other strategic land use, reviewing registered and unregistered title, preparing epitomes, and dealing with issues such as lost deeds and occupier consent requirements.