Experts Advise Farmers on Renewable Energy Opportunities
The Renewables Conference 2024
Experts from the industry recently advised farmers on the best ways to enter the energy generation, storage, and transmission sectors at a historic conference.
The Renewables Conference took place on May 16, 2024, at Merevale Hall in Atherstone, and was hosted by the Midlands and South West legal firm Lodders. More than a hundred delegates attended, and it gave them insight into how renewable energy projects are managed from the planning stage all the way through to construction.
Growing Interest in Renewables
“There is growing interest in renewables within the landowner community, and we are supporting more individuals than ever through the complex documentation required to create renewables schemes on their land,” says Alastair Frew, partner and head of Lodders’ renewables team. These can include the installation of gas generators or anaerobic digestion equipment, as well as solar PV developments, battery storage plans, and wind farms.
Advice from Industry Experts
A variety of speakers, including Simon Murrells of Innova Renewables, Nick Green of Savills, Hugh Taylor of Roadnight Taylor, Peter White of Gopsall Accountants, and James Collier of Howkins & Harrison, offered helpful advice on renewable energy opportunities.
Key Themes Discussed
The National Grid Electricity System Operator‘s (NGESCO) connections reform, which goes into effect in January 2025, the nation’s seemingly endless demand for electricity, which is in turn driven by internet cloud storage and data centers, and the necessity for battery storage in certain locations were among the clear themes that ran through the talks that day, according to Alastair. We also discussed the difficult subject of hydrogen and the impending maturity of the technology.
Importance of Expert Advice
Alastair emphasizes the significance of landowners obtaining expert advice with regard to renewables, especially if approached by an operator or developer looking to install a scheme on their property. The UK is aiming to achieve net zero by 2050 and decarbonize the electricity grid by 2035.
“You have a much better chance of making your scheme a reality if you pool the right expertise to support your renewables project,” he says, referring to the experience of engineers, specialized accountants, and lawyers.
Lodders’ Renewable Energy Expertise
“Landowners can benefit from the expertise of Landders’ team in renewable energy, whether they are developing land for solar energy generation to power an entire settlement, building a single wind turbine, constructing an energy-from-waste plant or gas reserve power station, or even setting up a row of public car-charging stations.”
Stratford upon Avon, Birmingham, Cheltenham, and Henley in Arden are home to prestigious legal firm Lodders. Established over 240 years ago, the firm provides knowledgeable legal counsel in a variety of legal areas, such as family law, real estate, business law, and private client.
