The next 12 months are important for landowners who want to capitalise on the opportunity. Planning policy currently supports renewables. There is continued competition for grid capacity, and changes to the grid application process now accelerates projects that are ready to be developed, so it is important to progress surveys and planning as soon as possible.
There continues to be a push for new generation across England, particularly onshore wind. Since the removal of the defacto ban, interest is strong in locations where there is suitable space, wind resource, and potential grid capacity, with developers competing for sites and progressing at pace. As projects are likely to take several years to progress - knowledge and experience is key.
Solar continues to offer opportunities, although planning and grid constraints remain, particularly where numerous developments are proposed in the same region. Smaller-scale sub-5MW schemes can provide an alternative, where long grid connection dates can be avoided. For landowners with high energy use, installation of solar panels behind-the-meter can reduce exposure to rising energy costs while supporting EPC requirements and net zero targets.
The battery storage market is in flux due to being oversubscribed, but the longer-term requirement remains as the electricity system becomes increasingly reliant on intermittent generation. New opportunities such as long duration energy storage are emerging in strategic locations.
We are seeing an increasing number of hybrid schemes, involving solar, wind, battery storage and hydrogen.
If approached by a developer, landowners should seek advice from a renewables land agent before granting any letters of authority or signing agreements. We recommend asking the developer about their experience and pipeline, who is funding them, whether they will own and operate or sell the scheme, and how quickly they can progress. Landowners may also wish to explore investing in the scheme and may want to know how the developer intends to engage with the community and address biodiversity net gain.
For landowners a strategic land review is recommended, to proactively identify and capitalise on any potential opportunities and secure the best terms with the right development partner – the sooner the better.
