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Chris is a partner in the Energy & Climate Change Team at CMS.  He specialises in complex process engineering projects, often involving new and innovative technologies including electricity generation and transmission, water and waste-to-energy projects and regulatory compliance work for electricity, gas and water utilities.  Chris joined CMS in May 2019 and has over 17 years of experience advising in the energy and climate change sector. 

Chris has worked on power projects across various European, Sub-Saharan African and South American jurisdictions advising project sponsors, offtakers and funders. 

With more than 450 energy and climate change lawyers, including over 100 partners, the CMS Energy and Climate Change practice is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Led from its centres of excellence such as London and Aberdeen, the practice works across 75 offices globally. Building on 40 years of experience advising on power, oil & gas and renewables through to energy disputes, emerging areas and Energy Transition, CMS is uniquely placed to ensure clients receive advice best suited to their commercial needs and to our collective future.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "Chris is very able and easy to deal with."
    Chambers, 2026
  • Quote
    "Chris McGarvey is a first-class energy lawyer. Technically brilliant but also knows the market very well and is very commercial and practical. I can't rate highly enough."
    Legal 500, 2025
  • Quote
    "Chris McGarvey is technically brilliant and commercially so aware."
    Chambers, 2025
  • Quote
    "Chris is a really good mixture of lawyer and technical advisor."
    Chambers, 2025
  • Quote
    "Chris McGarvey is an exceptional lawyer. He is very smart and really understands the market."
    Legal 500, 2024
  • Quote
    "He's an excellent lawyer who really knows his stuff, particularly in projects."
    Chambers, 2023

Relevant experience

  • A Global Energy Major on renewables offtake and energy trading in Nordic and Iberian power markets. 
  • Project Sponsors on the Acorn St Fergus, Caledonian Grangemouth, White Rose and Longannet Carbon Capture and Storage and Hydrogen Projects. 
  • A leading infrastructure fund on its investments in GB offshore transmission assets.
  • Independent Power Producers and Offtakers on CCGT projects in GB, Netherlands, France, Chile and Rwanda. 
  • Offshore wind developers and equity investors on various offshore wind farms.
  • A Transmission Network Owner on financing and construction procurement of a HVDC Interconnector Link.
  • Sponsors, financiers and offtakers on solar photovoltaic projects in GB, Spain and Nigeria.
  • Sponsors, financiers and offtakers on onshore wind projects in GB, Sweden, Croatia and Ukraine.
  • Energy Retailers and developers on battery storage, demand side response, energy service and asset optimisation projects.
  • Water Utilities on Wastewater Concessions, non-domestic retail and sustainable finance across the UK.
  • Sponsors and equity investors in various biomass CHP, district heating and heat decarbonisation schemes.

Education

2001 – LL.B (Hons), University of Glasgow 

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