Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Speaker:
Dan Meredith.
Director of External Affairs.
Solar Energy UK.
Scaling solar energy in the UK – policy support and planning reforms that are unlocking industry growth
09:40 to
10:05
- Delivering the Solar Roadmap – what has been achieved so far and what are the key priorities?
- The latest updates on the new National Planning Policy Framework and its implications for solar schemes
- Looking ahead to the next CfD round - lessons from AR8 and new opportunities for developers
Speakers:
Sam Armstrong.
Ground Mount Solar Team Lead – Policy.
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.
Scott De Senerpont Domis.
Senior Policy Advisor.
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.
Panel discussion: Are we on track to deliver 45-47GW of solar by 2030? What are the next steps for accelerating progress and removing barriers?
10:05 to
10:55
- Are planning policy changes enough to speed up development and what more is needed?
- What are the key blockers to faster solar deployment and how can these be addressed?
- New strategies for overcoming grid capacity challenges – exploring the role of private wiring and alternative flexible solutions
Speaker:
Alexandra De Zottis .
Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs.
Sonnedix UK.
Morning networking and refreshments
10:55 to
11:25
The post-reform grid landscape: what capacity is available for solar now and what comes next?
11:25 to
11:50
- Which zones in the UK are currently undersupplied and oversupplied with solar?
- Removing the bottlenecks – what does the current grid connection queue look like now?
- Crucial updates on the timelines for future application windows and opportunities to connect projects beyond 2030
Speaker:
Mike Oxenham.
Connections Design Manager.
NESO.
Practical guidance on securing consent for solar projects of all scales and the latest insight on planning policy changes
11:50 to
12:15
- How are the consenting routes for TCPA and DCO projects evolving?
- One year on from the increase of solar NSIP thresholds – what has been the impact on development?
- What further planning reforms are expected, and what could they mean for developers?
Speaker:
Richard Marsh.
Partner.
TLT.
Maximising land use for existing and new solar projects – unlocking more value from project sites
12:15 to
12:40
- Best practice for enhancing site potential through project design
- New opportunities for co-location – considering battery storage and other technologies
- Repowering operational solar farms to increase generation and optimise capacity
Networking lunch
12:40 to
13:40
Conducting effective consultation following the removal of statutory requirements – how has engagement for solar changed?
13:40 to
14:05
- How can engagement strategies be adapted and what is the sector doing differently?
- Is the new pre-application guidance enabling greater flexibility and reducing consenting timelines?
- How have consultation reforms changed community expectations around engagement and how can this be managed?
Local authority perspective – building effective partnerships to de-risk solar development
14:05 to
14:30
- How to best work with local authorities – what information do they require and when?
- Aligning solar projects with local planning priorities
- What specific challenges do local authorities face when assessing solar projects?
- The implications of determining larger and more complex schemes after the NSIP threshold increase
Managing archaeology and heritage requirements of solar farms – balancing asset protection with development
14:30 to
14:55
- Defining the archaeological and heritage impacts of solar infrastructure
- Using site design flexibility to reduce disturbance and ensuring your project remains on track
- Rethinking trial trenching – when and how much is really needed?
Afternoon networking and refreshments
14:55 to
15:20
Panel discussion: Overcoming supply chain and skills barriers to enable successful project delivery – what needs to be considered during planning?
15:20 to
16:05
- How can construction requirements be better embedded into early project planning?
- Identifying and securing the workforce needed now to deliver the growing pipeline of consented solar schemes
- Selecting the route to market – what is the best procurement strategy for solar infrastructure?
- What investment is needed in training, apprenticeships and skills development to support long-term growth?
Case study: Developing solar infrastructure – from site selection to overcoming grid constraints
16:05 to
16:30
- Identifying a suitable location for solar farms – positioning the project correctly
- Managing consenting risks and delays during the planning process
- How to plan your scheme with grid uncertainty – what are the best options
Chair’s closing remarks
16:30 to
16:40
Speaker:
Dan Meredith.
Director of External Affairs.
Solar Energy UK.
Close of conference and networking drinks
16:40 to
17:00