Clare is Head of our Clean Energy sector and also as a Partner in the banking team, also leads our project finance practice.
A project finance specialist by trade, Clare is dual qualified and has been involved in the UK energy sector and the infrastructure for almost three decades. In the clean energy sector, Clare advises a variety of clients on projects spanning various clean energy technologies (including onshore renewables (wind, hydro, solar, biomass and battery), offshore wind (fixed, floating and tidal), carbon sequestration and decarbonisation). Over the years Clare has also been involved in a significant number of infrastructure transactions across the transport, healthcare, education and defence sectors.
Clare has been involved in some of the highest profile (and in some cases world firsts) finance transactions in these sectors.
Clare is a regular speaker at industry events (on topics such as onshore and offshore wind, sustainability, ports and finance), is a regular contributor to the legal and national press on clean energy topics, and was a director on the Board of industry body RenewableUK (2019-2022). Clare also leads the Edinburgh Climate Compact, working with leading businesses and employers in Edinburgh to take action to contribute to decarbonisation and radically reduce the capital city’s carbon emissions.
In 2024 Clare was awarded “Lawyer of the Year” at the Legal 500 Awards, in recognition of her contribution to the clean energy sector.
Legal 500, 2024 – ‘Clare Foster is an extremely capable lawyer, very experienced and practical. She takes the clients' hands and guides them, understands their concerns and takes ownership of the issues to help the clients solve problems, not just by giving technical advice. She is without a doubt one of the best lawyers in Scotland for offshore wind matters.’
Chambers, 2024 – "Clare is an invaluable support to the legal and transaction team. She clearly knows the market."
Clare regularly acts as lead counsel, representing developers, lenders, consortia/sponsors, and authorities both north and south of the border and usually leads the multi-disciplinary team required to bring deals swiftly to financial close.
Admitted in Scotland and England and Wales.
Clare’s current work includes advising on a number of the ScotWind and INTOG offshore wind projects as well as clients such as Ocean Winds and Orsted in relation to a variety of their offshore projects. She also regularly works with clients such as Nadara, BayWa and SNIB in relation to a variety of onshore projects.
