Silke advises on the regulatory and commercial decisions shaping energy infrastructure, the energy transition and security of supply across the UK, Europe and internationally.
Contact details when in Paris (+33 1 53 57 76 69) or Germany (+49 211 975 59016)
A partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer with more than 25 years' experience in the energy sector, she is ranked Hall of Fame by Legal 500 for ESG, Renewables/Power and Nuclear, and is recognised as a leading adviser on M&A, investment and project development across electricity networks, interconnectors, energy storage, renewables and nuclear, as well as the regulatory frameworks that govern them. Because she understands how regulation shapes value, Silke helps buyers, sellers, investors and lenders identify risk early, structure deals and take them through to completion.
Silke also leads the firm's global ESG practice, advising on climate governance, carbon markets, emissions trading, sustainability regulation and climate risk management, connecting traditional energy and power sector work with the clean energy transition, grid investment and decarbonisation. Her Hall of Fame rankings in ESG, Renewables/Power and Nuclear and Legal 500 ESG Lifetime Award reflect this combination of deep sector expertise and forward-looking advice.
Silke is Professor by Special Appointment of Energy Law in the North Sea at the University of Groningen and an Honorary Professor at Queen Mary University of London. Her academic work and legal practice inform one another, both addressing how legal frameworks can support investment, cross-border cooperation and a secure, sustainable energy system. Her doctorate examined Brexit and the energy sector, and she publishes and speaks regularly on energy and climate law.
Having worked in London, Paris, Germany and Brussels, Silke brings a European perspective to international energy, infrastructure and extractives matters, including regulatory advice, project development, M&A and contentious work before the European Court of Justice. She also serves as an expert on energy law in arbitrations. She is an English solicitor, a German Rechtsanwältin and admitted to the Paris bar and advises in English, French, German and Dutch.
Experience & capabilities
Selected matters
- advising ENGIE on its acquisition of UK Power Networks
- advising National Grid on the sale of its electricity system operator to the UK Government
- advising La Caisse on its investment in Sizewell C, a landmark new nuclear power project
- supporting lenders on the NeuConnect interconnector between Great Britain and Germany
- advising Statera in relation to an investment by Ares Infrastructure Equity funds in Statera’s approximately 1.9GW portfolio of UK storage and flexible generation assets
- representing Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne S.A. in proceedings before the EU General Court regarding ACER decisions
- advising on regulatory frameworks for interconnectors and OFTOs
- supporting FTSE 100 clients on climate strategy, sustainability reporting, and regulatory alignment
- advising on ISSB, CSRD, and CS3D compliance across global subsidiaries
Background
- Silke is admitted in Germany, France, and England & Wales, and is a member of the Irish Law Society
- Doctorate in Law, University of Groningen (2023) – Brexit & Energy Sector
- Visiting Professor of EU Energy Law – Queen Mary University of London
- Professor – University of Groningen (Energy Law in the North Sea Area)
- Associate Professor II – University of Oslo (Oceangrid Project, 2022–2024)
- Ranked Band 1 in Environmental, Social & Governance Risk globally by Chambers & Partners 2025
- Recognised in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame in Power (including Electricity and nuclear) at present.
- Recognised in The Lawyer Hot 100 in 2022
- Named Energy, Projects and Natural Resources Lawyer of the Year in 2020
Publications
- "Linking UK and EU's ETS: legal and practical considerations" in IFLR, 19 May 2025, available here: https://www.iflr.com/article/2et65ey1qaw1dx4v1ux34/esg/linking-uk-and-eus-ets-legal-and-practical-considerations
- "Planning issues in the UK hydrogen sector", in: Ruven Fleming (ed): "Hydrogen Regulation in Europe: Emerging Issues and Best Practices for the Clean Energy Transition", Oxford University 2025. Chapter co-written with Martyn Jarvis of Town Legal.
- Catherine Banet et. al. Market design alternatives and cost and revenue sharing models for hybrid offshore wind projects between Norway and Europe, Green Platform Ocean Grid, Milestone M.1.2, June 2024. (co-author), available here: https://oceangridproject.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M1-2-Market-conditions-SP1-3-as-of-05-07-2024.pdf
- Catherine Banet and Silke Goldberg, Mapping of regulatory barriers to hybrid offshore wind projects between Norway and Europe, Green Platform Ocean Grid, Deliverable D1.6, February 2024, available here: https://oceangridproject.no/mapping-of-regulatory-barriers-to-hybrid-offshore-wind-projects-between-norway-and-europe
- "Taking back control of the energy sector? A legal analysis of Brexit and the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement", RUG Press, December 2023
- Brexit and Energy Law (Routledge, January 2023) (edited by Silke Goldberg and Ana Stanic)
- Chapter on "Energy", Silke Goldberg and Patricia Nacimiento in "Handels-und Zusammenarbeitsabkommen EU/VK", Kübek, Tams, Terhechte (Hrsg.), Nomos 2022 (German language commentary on the TCA)
- "The ethical contribution of the EU’s ESG disclosure regime", (co-authored with Jannis Bille) book chapter in “Research Handbook on Energy Law and Ethics”, edited by Malik Dahlan and Rosa Maria Lastra, Edward Elgar November 2022
- "Single Asset Interconnectors: Regulatory Issues and Recent Case Law, in: A Force of Energy: Essays in Honour of Professor Martha Roggenkamp, Ruven Fleming, Kars de Graaf, Leigh Hancher, Edwin Woerdman (eds.), University of Groningen Press, October 2022
- S. Goldberg; J. Bille; "Fit For 55 - The RED II Proposal - Power Up", OGEL 1 (2022), www.ogel.org, URL: www.ogel.org/article.asp?key=4007 **
- “Gas and oil trading: financial regulation and control of market abuse”, with Katherine Dillon, in T. Daintith and D. Willoughby: United Kingdom Oil & Gas Law **
- Goldberg, Silke, and Anne Eckenroth. "Governance of the energy market in the European Union." Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Law. Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, 2021. 169-179.**
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