Onshore Wind Conference 2019 Programme

Scotland’s onshore wind sector has been a huge success story: cutting costs to become the cheapest form of new power generation, bringing millions of pounds into the Scottish economy and community benefit funds each year, while employing thousands of people across the country and enjoying high levels of public support. However despite the sizeable pipeline of projects, the political will to provide revenue stabilisation (for mainland wind) remains low at Westminster, while regulatory costs are on the rise, leaving industry to look towards taller turbines and other innovative means to deliver economically-viable projects.

This session explores how we secure a sustainable future for Scotland’s onshore industry and examines the opportunities and hurdles that lie ahead in realising that vision.

Welcome & Chair
Claire Mack, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables

Speakers
Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Scottish Government 
Paul Cooley, Director of Capital Projects, SSE Renewables
Lesley Black, Sales and Marketing Function Leader, CS Wind UK

Q & A

With the margins of onshore wind projects looking increasingly tight, the various reviews and reforms taking place on planning policy, grid regulation and revenue mechanisms could make or break the sector’s future. Every project, regardless of its business model, will be looking at its costs to make the numbers stack up. How can Scotland and the UK bring down the cost of energy for consumers through regulation while also delivering government ambitions on jobs and industrial benefit?

This session discusses the various reforms underway to planning and grid charging, and what they could mean for the industry. We’ll also take a look at the financing risks and opportunities in this next phase of development.

Chair
Hannah Smith, Senior Policy Manager, Scottish Renewables

Speakers
Neil Douglas, Director, BVG Associates
Peter Hutchinson, Head of Supporting Good Development, Scottish Natural Heritage  
Nicola Percival, Policy & Regulations Manager, innogy Renewables UK

Panellists
Mark Evans, Head of UK Business Development, ERG 
Simon Peltenburg, Chief Projects Officer,Ripple Energy

Q & A

Making projects fly isn’t just about cutting costs and risk and lowering the cost of capital. It’s also about making projects more productive and efficient, and finding new, innovative ways to capture revenues.

This session highlights some of the solutions being explored and put into practice to make sites work harder and smarter.

Chair
Nick Sharpe, Director of Communications, Scottish Renewables

Speakers
Chris Smith, Head of Renewable Sales, SmartestEnergy 
Stephen Ford, Sales Director, Vestas  
Karen Anne Hutton, Head of Innovation and Optimisation, RES
David Collett, Managing Director, Collett & Sons Ltd

Q & A

As the industry moves into a new phase of lower LCOE development through extensions, repowered sites and taller turbines, Scotland’s planning and consenting policies are coming into sharper focus for onshore wind.

This session explores the opportunities and risks facing the sector through the new Planning (Scotland) Bill, policy reviews in the shape of the merged National Planning Framework and Scottish Planning Policy, as well as EIA matters from landscape to socio-economic impacts, and from radar to peatlands. Is Scotland’s planning system fit for the next generation of onshore wind?

Chair
Stephanie Conesa, Policy Manager, Scottish Renewables

Speakers
David Bell, Director, David Bell Planning Ltd
Rebecca Rylott, Technical Director: Landscape Architecture & Urban Design, Wood Environmental & Infrastructure Solutions UK
James Wright, Planner – Minerals, Waste and Energy, South Lanarkshire Council

Panellists
Euan Hutchison, Associate Technical Director (Planning), Natural Power
Rachel Furlong, Planning & Environmental Policy Manager, ScottishPower Renewables

Q & A

Closing remarks
Claire Mack, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables