Local landowners were advised to stay smart when looking at opportunities for renewable energy generation, as opportunities to secure grid connection rights become increasingly rare.
Mr Tayor explained: “While government subsidy mechanisms are changing and shrinking, there are still significant incomes to be made from ground rent and renewable generation, if landlords are smart. However, their income will be zero if they’re not at the front of the queue to secure grid rights, and even if they are it could be significantly reduced if they enter into an agreement that overshares with developers.”
The first step of any project is the initial feasibility study, which Roadnight Taylor will undertake at no cost, cross referencing its database of grid connectivity with research on future development plans that will require the network operators to provide more capacity. When tranches of connectivity are released, it is important to act quickly, as they are awarded on a first come first served basis. Roadnight Taylor will secure and hold the rights in trust, giving landowners the opportunity to put in place the tax, planning and legal framework to optimise the development, potentially for decades to come – all expertise that is held within the Forum.
The Southern Renewable Energy Forum is a think-tank set up when partners from three of the South East’s leading firms of professional advisors met to discuss common problems their clients were experiencing with alternative energy projects. Kevin Powell, Knill James Partner said: “One thing was clear – no one was providing ‘joined up advice’ that took a holistic view of the legal, financial and property development aspects of their projects.”
The Southern Renewable Energy Forum was born – bringing together the legal expertise of Mayo Wynne Baxter, the accounting and financial expertise of Knill James and the property development and planning expertise of Samuel & Son – to ensure that clients, prospects and contacts of each firm could find a ‘one stop shop’ to turn to for advice and guidance when considering their energy and utility sourcing solutions.
“Renewable energy financing and technology is ever-more complex, and our goal is to make sure our clients can navigate the waters and get the best results from their land resources,” said Knill James partner Nick Rawson.
