Energy decommissioning

Practical, integrated legal support for energy decommissioning, helping clients manage risk, meet regulatory obligations and achieve safe, compliant and cost‑effective project closure.

Decommissioning is a critical phase in the lifecycle of energy assets, requiring careful management of legal and commercial risk. Whether driven by asset age, regulatory change or repowering and redevelopment strategies, effective decommissioning is essential to ensure compliance and protect reputation.

How we can help

Our energy decommissioning lawyers support clients across the full decommissioning process, from early strategy and regulatory engagement through to physical works, remediation and site reinstatement. We advise energy developers, operators, landowners and public sector bodies on decommissioning obligations linked to planning requirements, environmental permits, contractual arrangements and funding structures.

Working as a single, integrated team across planning, construction, environmental, disputes and public law, we provide clear, commercially focused advice that helps clients deliver decommissioning projects safely, lawfully and efficiently.

Our experience

We have extensive experience advising on the decommissioning of energy and infrastructure assets, including complex and regulated projects.

Our work spans renewables, heat networks, energy‑from‑waste and nuclear‑adjacent infrastructure, acting for both private and public sector clients, including the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Our experience includes advising on:

Decommissioning strategy
Planning obligations, conditions and site restoration requirements
Environmental permitting, contamination and remediation
Health and safety obligations, including risk assessment and engagement with regulators
Construction, demolition and contractor arrangements
Dispute avoidance and resolution linked to decommissioning work
Public sector and regulated asset decommissioning programmes

We regularly support clients where decommissioning interacts with repowering, redevelopment or land disposal, helping manage transition risk and align closure activities with future site use. Clients value our ability to coordinate multiple workstreams, engage constructively with regulators and provide practical advice under tight timescales.

Main contacts

We're a highly specialised and experienced multi-disciplinary team, including experts in planning, construction, environmental, and health and safety law.

Melanie Grimshaw
Partner
Profile
Jody Kite
Partner
Profile
Rob Biddlecombe
Partner
Profile
Eve Johnstone
Principal Associate
Profile
Alysha Patel
Associate
Profile
Fiona Barker
Principal Associate
Profile

Get in touch

Our team of legal experts are here to support you.
Contact one of our lawyers today.

Our expertise

Consenting and planning for energy clients

Construction for energy projects

Decommissioning

Energy and infrastructure

Energy supply chain

Environmental and ESG for energy projects

Financing and insolvency for energy projects

Grid connection

M&A for energy clients

Site selection and land assembly for energy projects

Latest articles

Frequently asked questions

What legal issues typically arise during energy decommissioning?

Decommissioning raises a range of legal issues, including planning compliance, environmental permitting, waste and contamination, health and safety, contractual risk and regulatory engagement.

Do you advise on environmental and contamination risks?

Yes. We advise on environmental liability, remediation obligations, regulatory engagement and interactions with other parties (including neighbouring landowners), helping clients manage risk and comply with environmental law.

Can you support decommissioning linked to repowering or redevelopment?

Absolutely. We regularly advise where decommissioning forms part of a wider repowering or redevelopment strategy, aligning closure obligations with future land use.

Do you act for public sector and regulated bodies?

Yes. We have experience advising public bodies and regulated entities on decommissioning programmes, including complex and high‑profile infrastructure assets.

How do you help manage disputes arising from decommissioning works?

Our team supports dispute avoidance and resolution, including contractor, landowner and regulatory disputes, ensuring projects remain compliant and on track.