Law firm Shakespeare Martineau LLP has added two new solicitors to its specialist energy team in response to what it has labelled a “hive of activity” in the sector.

Rachel Kent and Isaac Murdy have recently joined the company to handle the ramp-up of activity.

The firm said new appetite in the market had been at least partly driven by the alternative technologies market, including subsidy-free solar and battery storage.

Shakespeare Martineau’s Nottingham-based team said it was currently engaged with the development of around £2 billion gross development value worth of new energy projects.

But Peter Dilks, energy partner at Shakespeare Martineau, warned the market was still digesting the results of last month’s Capacity Market auction.

“There is clear need for reform if we are to address the longer term diversification of energy supply and take us beyond the ageing coal and nuclear plants which currently provide around a quarter of the UK's energy supply.

“There are however reasons to remain optimistic, particularly in the East Midlands. We are engaged in some of the UK's largest “subsidy free” solar projects which will soon be entering the construction phase to enable clean, cost-effective energy at no additional cost to the tax payer,” he said.