About Thomas Chellingsworth
Thomas Chellingsworth is a partner and Energy Industry Lead at AKD. With over 25 years of experience in energy law, he plays a central role in supporting the energy and climate transition.
Thomas's clients are mainly developers of renewable energy projects, grid operators and public authorities. The common thread in his practice is the energy and climate transition, with a strong focus on green energy projects (including offshore and onshore wind, biomass and district heating), the regulation of energy infrastructure (including electricity, gas, heat and hydrogen networks as well as submarine cables and pipelines), market organisation (including the regulation of network tariffs and energy prices, subsidy schemes, the unbundling of monopoly and competitive activities, security of supply and capacity mechanisms) and energy-related contracts (including (corporate) PPAs, FIDIC-based construction agreements and contracts for connection and access to networks). Thomas also represents clients in dispute resolution procedures before the civil courts, the Council of State, the Markets Court and the Constitutional Court, mostly in test cases on the validity and interpretation of energy regulations and in challenges against decisions of the energy regulator.
Thomas is known for his ability to translate complex legal and regulatory challenges into workable solutions that move projects forward.
He is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers & Partners and as a 'Leading Individual' by The Legal 500.
Thomas heads AKD's Energy Industry Team, which provides integrated legal support across all areas of law relevant to the energy transition. The team's practice covers renewable energy, district heating, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and public and private grids. It supports clients in projects as well as disputes. The team advises clients throughout their project lifecycle, from early development and permitting to decommissioning, bringing together expertise in regulation, project development, contracting and financing, with a focus on the interaction between stakeholders, systems and projects driving the transition. AKD represents clients in disputes with regulators, public authorities and contracting parties, frequently in test cases on recent European and domestic energy laws.