The end of consensus on renewable energy? Solar Energy UK highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement 

National ambition vs. local concerns

Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, spoke about the challenges facing the solar industry. One growing challenge is the increasingly volatile political landscape, particularly at a local government level, where unexpected decisions are becoming harder to predict or plan around. While Chris highlighted that the current government in Westminster is the most pro-solar administration ever, it is clear that councils and devolved governments are not singing from the same hymn sheet.

The rise of Reform UK, which has taken a strong anti-solar stance in some of the councils that it controls, is one worry for solar developers. However, it is not the only party taking a stance against utility-scale solar. The new Plaid Cymru government in Wales has a vision for renewables, however is also proposing financial restrictions on cross-border energy sales that could make schemes less viable for investors - a move that could significantly reduce revenue certainty for investors in Welsh projects.

As the political landscape shifts, pre-application stakeholder mapping is becoming an essential part of the planning process for solar developers. At Luminate we work with renewable energy developers across the UK to navigate exactly this – mapping political risk early and building the stakeholder relationships that can help to protect a project’s  potential.

Stakeholder engagement doesn't end at planning permission

Stephen Humphreys, Partner and Head of Energy & Resource at Ashfords, who sponsored the reception, spoke about the importance of converting sites into developments. This importance was later highlighted by Artem Semenyshyn, of the charity Repower Ukraine, who spoke about how decentralised solar energy in Ukraine has played a part in keeping hospitals and other critical infrastructure operational in the face of Russian attacks.

Stakeholder engagement does not end once planning permission is granted. When construction begins, the experience of living near a site becomes very real for local residents concerned about disruption. How a developer manages that experience will directly shape its reputation and prospects for future consents in the same area.  

At Luminate, we support developers with construction-phase communications that keep neighbours informed, concerns addressed and goodwill intact- because relationships built during delivery will often matter the most to further planning consents in the future.

‍