Department profile
Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP

Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy

UK Guide 2026 : Scotland


Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP

At Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP, we believe our Renewables Team offers something different from our competitors. At the heart of that offering is our partner-led service. Our partners look after our clients from the moment they engage the firm through to project completion, remaining closely involved in the day-to-day service required to deliver our clients’ goals. 

Delivering those goals & that service can only be achieved with outstanding individuals.  Andy McFarlane, one of Scotland’s foremost renewable energy lawyers, heads up the team and Fraser Gillies, Managing Partner & Head of Planning, leads the renewables planning team. Our work is also driven by our excellent associates & solicitors.

Whilst our core renewables team is developer focused, we also have a separate team to handle landowner development. We provide advice on all technologies in the renewables sector. While our primary focus remains onshore wind, we have been leading the way recently on battery storage projects & have significant expertise in private wire and ICP grid connection work. 

We take pride in our sector knowledge and put on our own conferences & seminars, attend numerous industry events & deliver training to & receive training from our clients regularly.

Clients (12)

  • Renewable Energy Systems Limited
  • Innogy Renewables UK Limited
  • Forsa Energy Limited (formerly 2020 Renewables Limited)
  • Energiekontor UK Limited
  • Brookfield Renewable UK Ltd
  • Muirhall Energy Limited
  • Vento Ludens Limited
  • Coriolis Energy Limited
  • Siemens Gamesa
  • Partnership for Renewables
  • Harmony Energy Limited
  • Canna Renewable Energy and Electrification Limited

Industries (9)

  • Banks
  • Charities / Not for Profit
  • Energy
  • Private Clients / Individuals
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Real Estate
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics
  • Telecommunications
  • Utilities

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy - Scotland

Band 4

Band 4


What the Team is Known For

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie has a diverse renewables practice advising a range of developers and utility companies. The firm is frequently sought out to advise on the planning issues associated with onshore wind projects. The team also assists with wind farm development.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie represented Coriolis Energy with the application process for the Greystone Knowe Wind Farm.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie are well organised, provide clear recommendations and have a range of experience in difficult matters.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy respondentUK
  • Their commercial awareness is very good and they are happy to pull in colleagues from other parts of the business if they can add value.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy respondentUK
  • WJM have strength of experience and industry exposure.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy respondentUK
  • Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie have in-depth planning knowledge for complex projects requiring novel solutions.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy respondentUK
  • The firm has a lot of expertise and is proactive to meet hard timescales.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Associates to watchEsme Macfarlane
    Associates to watchEsme Macfarlane

    Esme Macfarlane

    Esme Macfarlane is widely appreciated by her clients for her deft handling of property matters within the renewables sector. She holds experience in advising on wind farm and battery storage projects.

    • Esme is excellent. We enjoy working with her. She is very organised and is able to advise on a huge number of subjects.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy respondentUK
    • Esme continues to go from strength to strength.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy respondentUK
    • Esme's level of knowledge, grasp of issues and negotiation and drafting skills are extremely high.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (1)

Scotland

  • Profile image of Esme Macfarlane

    Esme Macfarlane

    Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy

    View profile

Members

Provided by Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP

  • Paul Adams

  • Graham Bell

  • Esme Macfarlane

  • Ken Long

  • Nicola Martin

  • Angus MacLeod

  • Elizabeth Tainsh

  • Liam Entwistle

  • Fraser Gillies

  • Leanne Follan

  • Andrew McFarlane

    Head of Department

  • Katy Davenport

  • Joanne Ockrim

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