About Emma
Emma is an experienced and well-regarded energy lawyer. She advises on a range of commercial and regulatory energy matters across various renewable and clean technologies.
Emma has extensive experience advising a wide range of clients including generators, offtakers, regulated utilities, lenders, investors, and public sector bodies on key project documentation throughout an asset’s life cycle, including construction, operational and revenue contracts.
She has extensive experience of advising on route to market arrangements in the UK and internationally, including a range of corporate PPAs, as well as the co-location of BESS with other clean tech. She is recognised for being “well-versed in renewable PPAs” (Legal 500, 2025).
Emma joined Freeths Clean Energy team in July 2025 from DLA Piper UK LLP where she spent 8 years advising on energy and infrastructure projects including within regulated sectors including energy, transport, and public procurement law.
She is listed in the Legal 500 (Yorkshire) as a Leading Associate for Energy, was awarded Projects Leading Associate of the Year at the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards (2025), and has been shortlisted for the same award in 2026.
Contact Emma
Call: 0345 077 9689
Mobile: 0797 385 8799
Notable work & expertise
Relevant experience
- Emma advises on all forms of corporate PPAs (including private wire, sleeved and merchant PPAs). Recent examples include:
- advising clients in the logistics sector in relation to potential private wire PPAs and CPPAs and the implementation of their agreed strategies, including entry into long-term virtual PPAs and sleeved PPAs;
- supporting a client in negotiating a portfolio of private wire rooftop solar PPAs;
- advising regulated utilities and public authorities in relation to the entry into various forms of corporate and utility PPAs; and
- advised on a global portfolio of CPPAs for a client in the retail sector
- Emma has extensive experience advising on the negotiation of key commercial energy and battery storage contracts, including operation and maintenance contracts, asset management contracts, and service agreements
- Emma carries out due diligence to identify red flag and bankability issues (including potential mitigations) in respect of construction, operation and maintenance and revenue contracts, and also advises on key project documentation for later stage projects close to COD and on operational generation assets. She recently advised on the acquisition of a generation project by a party that will operate the site and contract under the Capacity Market regime
- Emma advises on grid connection rights for clean energy assets and works closely with colleagues in the land and planning teams to ensure projects have sufficient rights to be “ready-to-build”. She has recently advised a company on the proposed purchase of a site for a data centre development, including on the grid connection and power supply arrangements
Testimonials
"Emma Whitfield is knowledgeable and warm. She takes real ownership of the mandate."
The Legal 500, 2025
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