Steve Gummer

Steve is the Head of Net Zero at Sharpe Pritchard LLP. Previously at Allen and Overy, he returned to Sharpe Pritchard in 2017.

Steve has extensive experience on regulated and net zero projects. He has acted for investors, utilities, government and innovative developers on all types of projects. Steve is listed a Band 1 lawyer for Energy and Natural Resources: Water in the Chambers and Partners 2025 rankings.

This includes regulated water, where he has experience advising on environmental matters and licence conditions and creating and developing financeable regulated project structures. He has worked on a number of bespoke regulated projects, including in the nuclear sector and the water sector, including on the Thames Tideway Tunnel and Portsmouth Water in developing a unique form of bulk supply arrangement on the Havant Thicket Project. Steve is an expert on regulated asset base delivery models.

Steve also has experience working on regulated electricity projects and innovative power purchase agreements. He has advised on electricity licensing issues and offtake agreements. He has worked with a range of public and private sector clients to help them finance and get the best value from their electricity assets. Work has included solar PV, major solar farms, nuclear power, offshore wind, offshore transmission arrangements, battery storage, hydrogen, energy from waste and anaerobic digestion. Steve advised on developing the new form carbon capture, transport & storage licence.

Steve is a renowned expert on district heating, advising on delivery structures, finance, regulatory issues, risk allocation, grant schemes and legal compliance.

He is familiar with PPP structures and has advised several public authorities, particularly in the waste sector. This has involved an amendment to complex project finance structures and the development of detailed payment mechanics.

Steve has also represented regulators and central government. Work includes work for Ofgem, Ofwat, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business and Trade. His work in the public sector has included detailed subsidy control and competition advice (including taking matters to the Competition and Markets Authority in respect of the Subsidy Control Act 2022), public procurement and development of commercial contracts – including standard forms of construction agreement for major projects including using the NEC, FIDIC, IChem E and JCT forms of contract.

Steve works to support the public sector to deliver net zero. He also regularly supports schemes such as Net Zero Catapult to provide free advice on energy issues.