Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Speaker:
Sonia Dunlop.
CEO.
Global Solar Council.
Part 1: Essential policy updates, the future of solar and planning routes for new projects
09:40 to
11:20
Updates on new policies and meeting 70GW by 2035
09:40 to
10:10
- How policy is supporting new solar projects
- Updates on National Policy Statements – what do these mean for future schemes?
- Speeding up the planning process
Speaker:
Tim Warham.
Senior Policy Advisor.
Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.
Panel Discussion: Planning for future solar projects – creating a policy framework that supports new developments
10:10 to
10:55
- Meeting 70GW targets by 2035 – scaling up supply and delivering infrastructure
- How can government support the solar industry?
- Anticipating a skill shortage – how can industry find the skills needed?
- Shortening planning applications and reducing costs
Speakers:
Colin Turnbull.
Director.
DWD.
Peter Cole.
Senior Legal Counsel – Planning and Consents.
Aukera Energy.
Matthew Sharpe.
Senior Director.
Quod.
Outlining planning routes and requirements for solar projects
10:55 to
11:20
- Which planning route will new projects go through? What are the requirements?
- How will project speed effect new projects
- Avoiding delays and added costs by submitting the right information in your application
Speaker:
Richard Marsh.
Partner.
BDB Pitmans.
Morning refreshments
11:20 to
11:50
Part 2: Environmental considerations for solar project – biodiversity net gain and contributing to net zero
11:50 to
12:20
Successfully delivering your biodiversity net gain strategy
11:50 to
12:20
- Ensuring your project meets and exceeds requirements
- Navigating the biodiversity unit process
Speakers:
Angus Walker.
Partner.
BDB Pitmans.
Mark Lang.
Technical Director.
RSK Wilding.
Part 3: Practical lessons for planning and delivering solar infrastructure
12:20 to
16:35
Planning and delivering an effective project design strategy for solar projects
12:20 to
12:45
- Working with local communities to provide a bespoke design concept
- Overcoming landscape challenges
- Aligning project design with other aspects of the project
Speaker:
Neil Titley.
Technical Director, Environment.
AECOM.
Networking lunch
12:45 to
13:45
Successfully co-locating solar projects and shared grid connection corridors: a case study in West Lindsey
13:45 to
14:10
- Why co-location happens
- Benefits of collaboration and policy support
- Shared grid connections: benefits and challenges
- Overcoming challenges associated with co-located projects – effectively gaining consent for new developments
Speaker:
Ali Leeder.
Associate Director - Major Infrastructure Projects.
Arup.
Panel Discussion: Successfully collaborating with project stakeholders throughout the process
14:10 to
14:55
- The benefits of successful engagement with project stakeholders
- Identifying how stakeholders can contribute impactful insight into the decision making process
- Working with landowners to achieve consent
- Engaging early to avoiding delays and added costs
Speakers:
James Innes.
Director for UK Project Development & Business.
Peridot Solar.
Helen Heward.
Development Planner.
Exagen.
Afternoon refreshments
14:55 to
15:25
Consultation and engagement – improving consultation and community outreach for solar infrastructure
15:25 to
15:55
- Overcoming misunderstandings and misconceptions around solar projects
- Identifying key stakeholders and consulting early
- Effectively communicating solar projects to local populations
Speaker:
Ross Wolhuter.
Head of UK Development/ Construction Lead.
Eden Renewables.
Case study – planning and consenting major solar projects
15:55 to
16:20
- Lessons learned from project development
- Challenges when trying to plan for solar storage
Speaker:
Dr William Barrett.
Technical Director - Environment & Planning.
AECOM.
Chair’s closing remarks
16:20 to
16:30
Close of conference and networking drinks
16:30 to
17:30