Scotland's landscape has made it one of the most active locations for renewable energy development in the UK. Wind, hydro, and solar projects have transformed many rural estates and farms — bringing long-term income, but also legal agreements that can bind landowners for 25 to 30 years. Getting those agreements right matters enormously.
Whether you're a landowner who has been approached by a developer, a farmer considering a turbine or solar installation, or a rural estate reviewing an existing lease, the legal aspects of renewable energy require specialist advice. Poorly drafted agreements can lock landowners into unfavourable terms for decades, and many developer-issued lease templates are written firmly in the developer's interest.
We advise landowners, farmers, and rural estate owners on all aspects of renewable energy leases and agreements, with a clear focus on protecting your long-term position.
We can help with:
- Wind turbine and solar farm lease negotiations — heads of terms, option agreements, and formal leases
- Hydro scheme agreements, including water rights and access provisions
- Reviewing and advising on developer-issued lease templates before you sign
- Decommissioning provisions and end-of-lease obligations
- Interaction between renewable energy leases and Agricultural Holdings legislation
- Succession planning where renewable energy income forms part of a rural estate
If you've been approached by a developer, the most important thing you can do is take independent legal advice before agreeing to anything. Please get in touch — we're happy to provide an initial review and talk through what we see.