A Government contract for a groundbreaking hydrogen production facility in Bradford has been signed by project partners N-Gen Energy Solutions and Hygen Energy. The contract, called a Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement, provides the scheme with government subsidies to enable the hydrogen produced to be sold at a rate which is
The UK government has given the go-ahead for the £38 billion Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk, marking a major milestone in the country’s long-term energy strategy. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed the final investment decision today, describing the project as a bold step towards building a low-carbon, energy-secure
Ofgem has given its initial approval to a landmark £24bn investment package aimed at transforming Britain’s energy grid and reducing dependence on imported gas. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) has provisionally endorsed, subject to consultation, a programme of 80 infrastructure projects focused on new power lines and
Balfour Beatty has been awarded an £833 million contract by Technip Energies to deliver the Net Zero Teesside Power project—set to become the world’s first gas-fired power station equipped with full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The landmark onshore development will include power generation, carbon capture, and compression facilities.
SP Energy Networks has awarded supply chain contracts to support a £1.4bn commitment to deliver critical onshore transmission projects across central and southern Scotland and help deliver the Government’s Clean Power 2030 mission. Forming part of a wider £5.4 billion supplier investment programme over the next decade to move the
Murphy has been awarded the largest substation project currently underway in the UK, following a multimillion-pound contract win from National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). The project involves the construction of a major new substation at Uxbridge Moor in Buckinghamshire, adjacent to NGET’s existing Iver substation. The new infrastructure is set
RSK Group is continuing to support major UK carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects with eight RSK businesses appointed to contribute to the delivery of CO₂ transportation and storage infrastructure designed to facilitate the HyNet CO₂ pipeline. The RSK businesses have been appointed by United Living Group. Its subsidiary, United
Eclipse Power Networks to adopt and maintain mission-critical power infrastructure for new hyperscaler campus Eclipse Power Networks, a leading Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO), has secured a significant contract with Colt Data Centre Services to adopt and maintain grid connections totalling 250 megawatts (MW) for its hyperscale data centre campus
London Gatwick has partnered with specialist renewable energy provider Vital Energi to advance its ambitious £250m decarbonisation programme, which will see the airport switch to zero carbon heating and improve energy efficiency. The project will work to help London Gatwick achieve net zero for its own emissions by 2030. The
Ofgem’s recently announced reform to accelerate grid connections for new green energy projects is opening up substantial income opportunities for landowners across the UK, says Keir Doe, Managing Director of Renewables Connect, an innovative all-agency platform which ‘matchmakes’ landowners with renewables developers. The platform, which has been dubbed the ‘Tinder
A Government contract for a groundbreaking hydrogen production facility in Bradford has been signed by project partners N-Gen Energy Solutions and Hygen Energy. The contract, called a Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement, provides the scheme with government subsidies to enable the hydrogen produced to be sold at a rate which is comparable to fossil fuels, such as diesel, for 15 years. Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen is the largest of 11 schemes in the Government’s first Hydrogen Allocation Round, which provides a total of £2 billion of funding to stimulate hydrogen production. The flagship low carbon hydrogen production facility and fuelling station, to be built off Bowling Back Lane in Bradford, will give companies in the area and operators of heavy vehicles access to hydrogen, a cleaner energy source, from 2027. The facility will produce up to 12.5 tonnes of hydrogen per day, enough to power 800 buses and is estimated to be worth £120 million to the local economy and create up to 125 jobs. Hydrogen is a multi-purpose fuel which does not produce carbon when burned, making it compatible with plans for decarbonisation. It can be used as a replacement for natural gas in heating and industrial processes, and for replacing diesel in heavy goods vehicles including buses, trains and lorries. Hydrogen production secures the future of the Birkshall site, off Bowling Back Lane, which has a rich heritage stretching back almost 100 years. It was previously home to three large gas holders, with the site producing and storing gas for use by Bradford’s homes and businesses. The site will comprise hydrogen production, storage and refuelling, with the hydrogen produced through a process known as electrolysis, which uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. In a joint statement, Gareth Mills, Managing Director at N-Gen Energy and Kevin Selleslags, Hygen CEO, said: “We are thrilled to reach the milestone of signing the low carbon hydrogen agreement, which takes us a step closer to offering the region’s businesses and heavy transport the opportunity to decarbonise with cleaner, locally produced hydrogen at a competitive price. We’re excited to move to the next phase of building this trailblazing facility.” Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones, said: “This government is rolling out hydrogen out at scale for the first time, with 10 of the first projects now shovel-ready to start powering businesses with clean, homegrown energy from Teesside to Devon. “Hydrogen will help us cut industrial emissions and support Britain’s industrial renewal by creating thousands of jobs in our industrial heartlands as part of the Plan for Change.” Bradford Council supports the project and believes, as West Yorkshire’s only planned hydrogen production plant, it will play an important role in helping the area deliver on its climate change ambitions. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council said: “We’re really pleased to see the private sector working with the Government to bring new industry to Bradford. I’m delighted that the contract has now been signed. The scheme will help us bring investment and green jobs to Bradford as well as delivering on our climate change ambitions.” Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’ve declared a climate emergency in West Yorkshire, and we’re committed to net zero by 2038, so I’m delighted that one of the UK’s biggest hydrogen production facilities is right here in Bradford. This investment will play a vital role in helping us achieve our ambitions of a greener, more secure region, with higher paid jobs and lower energy bills for future generations.” Neil McDermott, Chief Executive of LCCC said: “Signing this Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement is a key milestone, not only for the Bradford project, but for the development of a thriving hydrogen economy across the UK. Hydrogen has a vital role to play in our transition to net zero, particularly in decarbonising sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy transport and industry. “Through our delivery of the Government’s Hydrogen Business Model, LCCC is proud to provide long-term revenue support that gives investors the confidence to back pioneering projects like this one. We look forward to working with the Bradford team as the project goes from strength to strength, bringing clean energy, economic opportunity and innovation to the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK government has given the go-ahead for the £38 billion Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk, marking a major milestone in the country’s long-term energy strategy. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed the final investment decision today, describing the project as a bold step towards building a low-carbon, energy-secure future. While the government will retain a 44.9% stake—making it the largest single shareholder—it will not hold a controlling interest. Other investors include Canada’s La Caisse (20%), Centrica (15%), France’s EDF (12.5%) and US-based Amber Infrastructure (7.6%). The project will be underpinned by a £5 billion loan guarantee from France’s Bpifrance Assurance Export, alongside debt financing led by the UK’s National Wealth Fund. Sizewell C will use the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model, allowing investors to begin receiving returns during construction through levies on UK households and some businesses. This approach shifts financial risk from investors to consumers—a point that has attracted criticism in the past, but one the government views as key to unlocking large-scale infrastructure investment. The project’s estimated capital cost of £38 billion is around 20% lower than that of its sister project, Hinkley Point C, which is running significantly over budget and behind schedule. Sizewell C’s costings have undergone extensive due diligence and peer review, with officials confident that lessons learned from Hinkley will drive efficiency. Early works are already under way on site, with no confirmed date for the start of main construction. At peak, the project is expected to support 10,000 direct jobs and tens of thousands more through its supply chain. Major contractors from Hinkley Point C—including Bouygues-Laing O’Rourke JV (Bylor) and Balfour Beatty—are set to continue their roles at Sizewell C. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ofgem has given its initial approval to a landmark £24bn investment package aimed at transforming Britain’s energy grid and reducing dependence on imported gas. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) has provisionally endorsed, subject to consultation, a programme of 80 infrastructure projects focused on new power lines and substations. The investment forms part of the biggest overhaul of the UK’s electricity network since the 1960s. More than £15bn of the proposed funding is earmarked for maintaining the safety and reliability of the UK’s gas transmission and distribution networks. A further £8.9bn will go directly into strengthening the country’s high-voltage electricity grid, with an additional £1.3bn on standby for rapid deployment. This investment marks the first stage of the RIIO-T3 settlement (April 2026 to March 2031) and will kick off a broader, estimated £80bn infrastructure programme designed to modernise the energy grid. The plan includes upgrading over 4,400 km of overhead lines and adding 3,500 km of new circuits, including offshore developments—doubling what has been delivered over the past decade. If completed as expected, the projects will enable the grid to support up to 126 GW of clean, renewable energy by 2030, alongside increased energy storage and flexible technologies. Over the past six months, Ofgem has closely scrutinised the proposals from electricity transmission owners, National Gas, and gas distribution operators. More than £8bn—around 26% of the original proposals—has been trimmed to ensure the plans offer value for money to consumers. Funding allocations include: Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem Chief Executive, commented: “Britain’s dependence on imported gas has left us vulnerable to global market shocks. Without government support, bills could have soared to £4,000 during the energy crisis.This record investment is vital to building a homegrown energy system—one that protects us from price volatility, strengthens our energy security, and helps stabilise bills.” Brearley emphasised that inaction would cost consumers more in the long term. “Doing nothing is not an option. These 80 projects are an insurance policy for the UK’s energy future. We’ve negotiated a fair deal for investors and consumers alike—and we will hold network operators accountable for delivering on time and within budget.” By March 2031, the estimated cost to billpayers is expected to be around £24 a year, or less than 40p per week. This figure does not include the broader cost savings anticipated from a cleaner, more efficient power system. The draft proposals are now open for consultation, with final decisions due by the end of 2025. However, some energy firms have expressed disappointment, arguing that the scale of ambition should have been greater. SSEN Transmission responded: “Ofgem’s draft determination falls short of the ambitious and financeable framework needed to support transformational grid investment. The methodology does not reflect the real, evidence-based costs of delivering a reliable transmission network in northern Scotland.” Despite these concerns, Ofgem remains confident that the proposed investment strikes the right balance between affordability, resilience, and long-term sustainability. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty has been awarded an £833 million contract by Technip Energies to deliver the Net Zero Teesside Power project—set to become the world’s first gas-fired power station equipped with full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The landmark onshore development will include power generation, carbon capture, and compression facilities. Balfour Beatty will work in collaboration with Technip Energies and GE Vernova, supported by technology partner Shell Catalysts & Technologies, to construct a state-of-the-art combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant. The project is led by Net Zero Teesside Power, a joint venture between energy giants BP and Equinor. In addition to the main power station, Balfour Beatty will construct a post-combustion carbon capture system capable of removing up to two million tonnes of CO₂ per year. Once captured, the carbon will be compressed and transported via an offshore pipeline for permanent storage beneath the North Sea by the Northern Endurance Partnership—a joint venture involving BP, Equinor, and TotalEnergies. When completed, the power station is expected to generate up to 742 megawatts of low-carbon electricity—enough to meet the average annual energy needs of over one million UK homes. Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive at Balfour Beatty, said: “Net Zero Teesside Power is an ambitious and pioneering scheme, forging the path towards sustainable infrastructure and establishing the UK as a global leader in clean energy innovation. The project will not only be instrumental in achieving net zero targets but will also stimulate economic growth across the North East, creating thousands of jobs both during construction and for the long term.” This major contract follows the UK Government’s announcement in October 2024 of a £21.7 billion funding commitment for carbon capture and storage projects in the energy, industrial, and hydrogen sectors. Net Zero Teesside Power and the Northern Endurance Partnership received final investment approval in December 2024, paving the way for delivery of this transformative infrastructure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SP Energy Networks has awarded supply chain contracts to support a £1.4bn commitment to deliver critical onshore transmission projects across central and southern Scotland and help deliver the Government’s Clean Power 2030 mission. Forming part of a wider £5.4 billion supplier investment programme over the next decade to move the grid forward, the contracts enable SP Energy Networks to build long-term partnerships with UK businesses to rewire the electricity network. It’s part of a multi-billion-pound investment programme to unlock more capacity for new homes, businesses, and clean energy projects, move power around the country more efficiently and significantly reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels and boost energy security. To mark the announcement, Nicola Connelly, SP Energy Networks CEO, was joined by Energy Minister, Michael Shanks MP, at an event close to the company’s Glasgow headquarters. Representatives from the successful businesses signed SP Energy Networks’ Delivery Charter, committing to green job creation, positive community impact, and a safe working environment. Nicola Connelly, CEO SP Energy Networks said, “These strategic partnerships give suppliers the confidence to invest in themselves – growing their workforce, opening new offices across the country and creating even greater opportunities for the UK. “This is great news for the UK and Scottish supply chains, with every pound spent directly benefiting central and southern Scotland and its infrastructure for decades to come. “This is a defining moment for our energy future. These contracts are not just about infrastructure—they’re about enabling a cleaner, greener Britain. We’re proud to be leading the charge in helping deliver the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 ambition.” Energy Minister, Michael Shanks, praised the initiative, saying, “These SP Energy Networks partnerships take us a step closer to reaching clean power by 2030, in modernising the country’s outdated network to get more of clean power generated in Scotland to homes and businesses across the country. “This is the clean power transition in action – investing in British supply chains that will bring skilled jobs and economic growth to communities in Scotland and beyond.” The awarded contracts cover a wide range of critical infrastructure, including: The strategic partnerships will initially run for five years, with the option to extend to 10, providing long-term certainty for suppliers and enabling them to invest in skills, technology, and innovation with 17 of the 19 suppliers based in the UK. Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is the sole contractor for both substation and overhead lines on the Denny to Wishaw project. There will be a joint office opening at Eurocentral in the Autumn. Simon Smith, Managing Director, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said, “We’re proud to support the UK energy network’s biggest upgrade in a generation, and to be part of SP Energy Networks’ Delivery Charter. Projects like the Denny to Wishaw Network Optimisation (DWNO) will improve resilience and energy security, boost capacity to meet future demand, and connect Scotland to greener, renewable energy. In upgrading the transmission network, we will be able to bring skills and employment to the central belt, and leave a lasting legacy in the local communities.” The announcement follows ScottishPower’s commitment to double its UK investment to £24 billion by 2028, with two-thirds allocated to electricity networks. SP Energy Networks will soon submit its five-year business plan for 2026–2031 to Ofgem, reinforcing its role in delivering the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 ambition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Murphy has been awarded the largest substation project currently underway in the UK, following a multimillion-pound contract win from National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). The project involves the construction of a major new substation at Uxbridge Moor in Buckinghamshire, adjacent to NGET’s existing Iver substation. The new infrastructure is set to play a key role in meeting the growing demand for electricity in west London and will enable new customers to be connected to the national grid. Leveraging its in-house capabilities and direct delivery model, Murphy will carry out the full range of works at the new substation. This includes the construction of both a 400kV and a 132kV substation, underground cabling, ancillary buildings, and modification works to the existing 400kV overhead line network. The 132kV substation will be connected via underground cables. The project also includes major civil works, such as the development of a 1.2km raised access road from the A412 and a new road bridge over the River Alder Bourne, further enhancing site accessibility. A key feature of the project is its use of gas-insulated substation technology, which allows for a significantly smaller site footprint—up to 70% less than a conventional substation. This will help minimise environmental impact and disruption to the surrounding area. Liam Corr, Managing Director of Energy at Murphy, said: “Since 1951 Murphy has been a leading provider of innovative and integrated energy solutions – today we support groundbreaking transmission and distribution projects across the four countries in which we work. “We are proud to be delivering this project in the UK’s capital and building on our strong working relationship with National Grid to help to ensure energy security for decades to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RSK Group is continuing to support major UK carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects with eight RSK businesses appointed to contribute to the delivery of CO₂ transportation and storage infrastructure designed to facilitate the HyNet CO₂ pipeline. The RSK businesses have been appointed by United Living Group. Its subsidiary, United Living Energy Limited, part of its infrastructure services business (ULIS), has been selected by Liverpool Bay CCS Limited (LBCCS), a member of the global energy tech company Eni, as one of the primary contractors to deliver CO₂ transportation and storage (T&S) infrastructure. The ULIS project is worth approximately £250 million over a three-year period and will create 300 roles across the supply chain. United Living has said that the facility will be instrumental in enabling the landmark HyNet CO₂ pipeline, which aims to unlock a low carbon economy for North West England and North Wales. The pipeline will be the first step in unlocking the benefits and ambitions of the wider HyNet North West project and achieving the UK’s net zero target by 2050. The project comprises 34 km of new pipeline (with the additional repurposing of an existing 24 km) running from Ince, Cheshire, near RSK’s head office at Helsby, to Point of Ayr in North Wales. RSK’s support of this project follows the recent completion of another carbon capture initiative involving 12 group businesses. These RSK companies supported Heidelberg Materials UK’s successful planning application for the company’s Padeswood CCS project in North Wales – the first carbon capture enabled cement works in the UK. Speaking about the new Liverpool Bay CCS project, RSK Environment Director Rob Domeney explained that the HyNet CO₂ pipeline would take CO₂ captured by industrial emitters across the region and transport it through new and repurposed infrastructure to permanent storage in depleted natural gas reservoirs under the seabed in Liverpool Bay. RSK’s work began in September 2024 and is expected to continue until the completion of construction in June 2027. Rob said: “This project is incredibly exciting for RSK. The group has been working on pipeline and related projects for more than 30 years and has a long history of working at sites across the North West, including at Protos Ince, Stanlow and Padeswood. “We are also contributing to a large number of CCS projects nationwide at all phases of development, from optioneering, feasibility and consents strategy, through consenting, development consent order (DCO) and environmental impact assessment (EIA), to pre-construction and construction support. With this project, we are delivering against a series of deadlines with various DCO requirements and secondary consents, protected species licences and other inputs required before construction can commence. But this is where the teams’ experience really comes into its own and our ability as a group to pool our multidisciplinary resources is very effective.” He confirmed that RSK has been contracted to provide pre-construction and construction environmental support to the project. The wider RSK team includes environmental management staff seconded into the project to help deliver construction environmental management plans and related documentation and secondary consents such as environmental permits and to coordinate the various environmental teams involved. Rob added: “In addition, the project will use more than 50 RSK colleagues across the group to provide ecological surveys, licences and mitigation, archaeological mitigation, advice and support on ground contamination, mining, groundwater and surface water, flood risk planning, landscape design and management and noise, air quality and arboriculture inputs. “RSK Group companies supporting the project include RSK Biocensus (ecology), Headland Archaeology, RSK Geosciences (coal mining, contamination, surface water/groundwater monitoring and materials management plans), LDE (flood risk and hydrology), ADAS (arboriculture and soil survey), Stephenson Halliday (landscape design), RSK Acoustics and Ian Farmer Associates. “The project is in its early stages, with a number of survey teams on-site and ecological and archaeological mitigation in progress, as well as a comprehensive ground investigation programme. Headland Archaeology has 2 teams of archaeologists working on the project and expects its work will involve 276 archaeological trial trenches. Once the initial phases of our work are complete, we look forward to supporting the ULIS team into full construction.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Eclipse Power Networks to adopt and maintain mission-critical power infrastructure for new hyperscaler campus Eclipse Power Networks, a leading Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO), has secured a significant contract with Colt Data Centre Services to adopt and maintain grid connections totalling 250 megawatts (MW) for its hyperscale data centre campus at Hayes, Middlesex. The agreement follows a competitive tender process that began late 2023 and ran until the end of 2024. Eclipse offered support and guidance to Colt Data Centre Services throughout the process, and is delighted to have been contracted at its conclusion. Under the contract, Eclipse will adopt a 132 kilovolt (kV) dual-circuit connection from National Grid’s Uxbridge Moor substation, near Iver, providing 100MW of power to the campus. In addition, Eclipse will adopt a 66kV dual-circuit connection from National Grid’s North Hyde substation for a further 150MW of power. These two connections are designed to support the campus of five data halls, each individually metered via Eclipse Power Networks’ network at 11kV. The project demonstrates Eclipse Powers’ innovative approach to network infrastructure adoption, working collaboratively with Colt Data Centre Services and their appointed Independent Connection Provider (ICP) to ensure that the network is designed, built, owned and operated as efficiently and economically as possible, while maintaining security of supply through direct connections to the transmission system. David Swadling, Group Sales Director at Eclipse Power said: “This Critical National Infrastructure project showcases our technical expertise, and our ability to develop creative, economically attractive solutions for mission-critical infrastructure. We worked collaboratively and transparently with Colt Data Centre Services to help them develop a complex commercial model that that provided an innovative and equitable economical solution never seen before in Great Britain. “By owning and operating the grid infrastructure on Colt’s behalf, we’re ensuring that they secure reliable power for the facility, while allowing them to focus on their core business of providing sustainable hyperscale data centre solutions.” Eclipse Power Networks’ selection was based on its extra-high voltage (EHV) experience and deep technical understanding of National Grid processes, along with a commitment to working transparently with all stakeholders to optimise the commercial relationship between the parties. David Knox, Global Director of Energy & Sustainability at Colt Data Centre Services, said: “As the UK aims to reach the next level in the global digital marketplace, customers require scale in their data centre solutions. Sustainable, hyperscale sites such as our Hayes campus not only require power supply security, but they must also have the expansion potential necessary to support growth. “As a trusted partner for our worldwide customers, Colt Data Centre Services works only with organisations that share our commitment to mission-critical infrastructure. Eclipse’s innovative and collaborative approach, together with its rich expertise in power networking, has made it the ideal partner for our expansion at the Hayes site.” With data halls across five floors and 175MW of IT power, Colt Data Centre Services’ Hayes campus represents a major investment in data centre infrastructure. Energisation of the site is scheduled for 2028, with the network infrastructure provided by Eclipse Power Networks designed to last a minimum of forty years. More information about Eclipse Power’s data centre services can be found here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London Gatwick has partnered with specialist renewable energy provider Vital Energi to advance its ambitious £250m decarbonisation programme, which will see the airport switch to zero carbon heating and improve energy efficiency. The project will work to help London Gatwick achieve net zero for its own emissions by 2030. The airport will eliminate natural gas reliance and generate its own energy, boosting energy resilience. Vital Energi will support London Gatwick in a five-year contract that will see heat decarbonised in around 50 airport buildings, including the North and South terminals, engineering facilities and office space. Energy specialists Vital Energi, known for delivering innovative decarbonisation solutions at scale, will spearhead the transformation. They will support improving energy efficiency in buildings, deliver zero carbon heat solutions such as heat pumps and heat infrastructure across the airport. Cedric Laurier, Chief Technical Officer, London Gatwick said: “The whole aviation sector must work together to decarbonise our industry by 2050. At London Gatwick, we are playing our part by committing to decarbonising greenhouse gas emissions under the airport’s control by 2030. Our vision is to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey, and as we continue to grow, we must do it sustainably. Our work with Vital Energi will play a critical role in this and will mean we are the first major UK airport to generate heat on site. Mike Cooke, Managing Director, Vital Energi said: “Vital Energi is proud to partner with London Gatwick on this landmark decarbonisation programme and we commend its bold approach to decarbonisation and resilience. Our comprehensive expertise in renewable technologies and in-house team of over 100 design engineers will support the airport to achieve its ambitious target of net zero by 2030 by removing gas from across the whole site and installing heat pumps and other decarbonisation measures. “In every Vital Energi project, we build in operational resilience, ensuring there is always a backup to maintain functional continuity.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ofgem’s recently announced reform to accelerate grid connections for new green energy projects is opening up substantial income opportunities for landowners across the UK, says Keir Doe, Managing Director of Renewables Connect, an innovative all-agency platform which ‘matchmakes’ landowners with renewables developers. The platform, which has been dubbed the ‘Tinder for Renewables’, was launched last May and is free and no obligation for landowners – whether farmers, country estate owners or local councils – to list on. “We’ve seen lots of activity on the platform in recent weeks as this reform is creating opportunity for new – and some previously rejected – projects to get connected to the grid quickly,” says Keir, who farms near Errol in Perthshire and has his own land consultancy where he has seen renewables projects from both landowner and developer perspectives. “There’s been a major backlog preventing new projects connecting to the grid due to the traditional ‘first-come, first-served’ process. Some projects have connection dates of 10+ years. This reform will get rid of speculative ‘zombie’ projects that have been holding up the queue and prioritise new solar farms, wind turbines and battery storage that are ready and strategically placed for the grid. This is a great opportunity for landowners if they have some land that could secure a lucrative rental income from a renewable energy project.” This, combined with the drive for data centres and hydrogen power, which are powered by renewables, and changes to planning policy, means there is considerable potential for those with land. Projects that have previously been refused or deemed unviable may now be sought after by developers, adds Keir. “It doesn’t have to be one large area, it could be marginal land on the edge of a farm, estate or a town. These smaller parcels can create a critical mass in one region that can then become an investible project for a renewables developer.” Renewables Connect currently has more than 9,000 hectares of land listed on its platform, from Shetland to Cornwall. Its interactive digital map allows landowners to list land areas and for developers to view, filter, and assess their suitability for green energy projects including wind, solar or battery storage. Large areas of land are often attractive for developers, but the ‘co-location’ of neighbouring smaller parcels is where Renewables Connect can create matches that may not otherwise be obvious. “This has been a gamechanger,” explains Keir. “Not every landowner wants a large-scale project on their land, or to take productive arable land out of commission, but this allows for smaller and poorer quality parcels to become greater than the sum of their parts. It’s a win for both parties as it creates good passive income for the less productive land and forges greater potential for renewables projects.” Following the recent UK Government reports that average farm income has fallen significantly, this is an opportunity to diversify the business or can also help with succession planning, adds Keir: “Such a drastic drop in income is difficult for any business but this comes at a time when farm businesses are faced with additional cost pressures and tax increases. Rental income from renewable energy development can provide a steady, passive additional income stream. It’s free and quick to list on the Renewables Connect Platform and doesn’t tie you to anything. It may be the most profitable 10 minutes of a landowner’s year.” One of the biggest potential renewables growth areas is onshore wind, says Keir: “The demand for this and solar will also grow with the plans for data centres, large buildings which store and process data, and the investment in hydrogen technology, both of which need substantial renewable power sources.” In Scotland, where changes in the National Planning Framework 4 eased restrictions on the visual impact of renewables, previously refused wind farms may now be able to secure planning consent. Renewables Connect is also having positive discussions with local authorities: “We’re seeing increasing interest from councils who see the benefits of listing land to help generate income, reduce dependency on central budgets and deliver community benefit. Equally, projects like the recently approved community wind initiative on Arran are proving what’s possible and it’s something we could see replicated in other areas across the UK.” The grid reform is part of the UK’s ambition to decarbonise the national power supply by 2030, with the first wave of post-reform projects expected to be up and running in early 2026. “The UK will not meet its 2030 net-zero targets without a massive acceleration in renewable project delivery,” says Keir. “This starts with land and as a landowner, if you are keen you need to be actively promoting your land to let renewables developers know you are interested. This can be daunting, expensive and difficult to know where to start. That’s why we built Renewables Connect, to be a transparent, one-stop shop, free for landowners or their land agents to promote their sites and easy for developers to identify new opportunities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
