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Donald Cumming is a consultant in the Energy and Utilities team. Originally from a corporate background, he has been advising clients in the UK energy and infrastructure sector for over 25 years, with a particular focus on the electricity and water industries.

His work has included conventional power projects, renewable energy projects, sector restructurings, separation of regulated businesses, joint ventures, and regulatory licences and codes. He also has extensive experience in general corporate and commercial matters, including contract work and energy-related M&A transactions.

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
    "a 'very prominent' and 'highly regarded' lawyer."
    Legal 500, 2020
  • Quote
    Donald Cumming garners "huge respect" from peers in the sector, who praise his long experience advising on utilities matters. He also has a wealth of experience in project development, recently advising the project company on the Beatrice offshore wind farm in the Moray Firth
    Chambers 2015
  • Quote
    praised for his considerable experience and "one of the go-to people in Scotland"
    Chambers, 2019

Relevant experience

  • SSE Renewables on due diligence aspects of the sale of three operational wind farms to Infinis.
  • Various major energy companies on long term power purchase agreements, including contracts to purchase renewable power from wind farms.
  • Tullis Russell Papermakers on biomass CHP project (60MW) with RWE Npower at Markinch Papermill, Fife.
  • The Scotia Gas consortium on the acquisition of two gas distribution networks from Transco.
  • SSE in various power station joint ventures, combined heat and power schemes and other energy projects, including Fellside and Seabank.
  • Scottish Water on the establishment of its Business Stream subsidiary to provide licensed retail water and sewerage services to non-household customers in competitive market set up under Water Services etc (Scotland) Act 2005.
  • Scottish Water on the creation of partnering arrangements with private sector contractors in order to carry out its £GBP 2.5bn asset delivery programme. 
  • Northern Ireland Water on conversion from a government department into a separate state-owned water authority.

Education

  • 1974 - Law, LLB (Hons), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh

Insights by Donald

Contracts for Difference Round 2: what next for island wind in Scotland?

23 Dec 2016 6 min read

Closure of the Renewables Obligation: Thoughts on Legal Remedies

17 Jul 2015 6 min read
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