Feasibility Studies
Partnering with NFU Energy to deliver their Renewable Energy Solutions Service
We are delighted to partner with NFU Energy to deliver their new Renewable Energy Solutions – a service to help farmers and landowners assess and develop renewable energy schemes on their land.
Pete Aston joins the Roadnight Taylor team
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Pete Aston as Network Engineer. He joins from Western Power Distribution (WPD), where he was Primary System Design Manager responsible for all grid connections to the high and extra-high voltage networks across all WPD's licence areas.
Green Recovery Scheme call for evidence – take a considered approach
Hugh Taylor warns submissions for the Energy Networks Association Call for Evidence for the Green Recovery Scheme must be carefully considered and clearly demonstrate how a scheme will deliver against Ofgem & DNO objectives.
Our 2020 results
We thought our achievements in 2019 were phenomenal, but 2020 was our true breakthrough year. We secured over two gigawatts-worth of capacity for solar for clients, saved our developer clients many £millions in connection offer non-contestable costs and more...
Farming’s role in the evolving energy market – Farmers Guardian
Hugh spoke to Farmers Guardian about the opportunities for renewable energy schemes available to landowners and how to maximise the chances of achieving viable solar farm, wind farm and battery storage schemes.
Exclusivity agreements for energy schemes: pitfalls and opportunities
In seeking to achieve a solar, wind or energy storage scheme, one of the first steps a developer will take is to secure an exclusivity agreement with the landowner. We take a closer look at exclusivity agreements, speaking to the expert team at Renew Legal, to understand what they are, the issues that can arise from them and if there are alternative approaches.
Farm diversification income from energy projects – frequently asked questions
As rural landowners look to diversify and tackle the economic challenges post-Brexit, energy schemes can offer those with viable sites a new income solution. We’ve compiled a list of answers to the most common questions we get asked by landowners - including likely incomes.
Webinar: Maximising chances of achieving large-scale energy schemes
Hugh was invited to speak on webinar hosted by Lodders. Hugh lit a clear path to maximising your chances of achieving long-term, reliable leases from large-scale energy schemes, while Alastair Frew provided insight on a range of renewable energy legal issues.
Contracts for Difference Scheme: the impact on the solar site acquisition market
Hugh Taylor spoke to Michael Beale, Director of Business Development UK at Lightsource BP to ask him what impact this CfD announcement would have on the solar farm site acquisition market.
Energy Opportunity – RICS Land Journal
Hugh was invited to write for the RICS Land Journal. He covers the energy scheme opportunities for landowners, the different approaches, the current issues and technology options, and how to maximise chances of success.
Electric Vehicle Evolution – CLA Land & Business
The opportunities for electric vehicles and EV charging including delivering competitive advantage, raising customer satisfaction, highlighting environmental credentials, adding income and gaining rent from hosting infrastructure.
Farm diversification into energy: the options and returns
There's never been a better time for landowners to seek diversification income from leasing land to energy schemes, or becoming self-developers or owner-operators. But we urge them to take appropriate and independent advice.
Our 2019 results
In 2019 we secured grid capacity for over 1GW of solar, storage, gensets and energy from waste (EfW) schemes, on over 3,000 acres with a lifetime ground rent of £100m. Why not join us in 2020?
Roadnight Taylor 2019 Festive Stats
After a spectacular year in which Roadnight Taylor Ltd really came of age, we totted up some of our successes in 2019. A huge thank you to our extraordinary and talented team - and all the developers, businesses, public sector bodies and site owners who put their faith in us in 2019. Happy Christmas!
On-site energy schemes – what are the opportunities for landowners?
Hugh was interviewed by AMP Clean Energy for their guest blog. He discusses the on-site energy opportunities for landowners and developers, and why decarbonisation is driving demand for sites that can host flexible generation assets.
Prime opportunity for energy schemes but take care
The average landowner’s chances of getting an energy scheme are greater now than ever. But, there has also never been a more appropriate time to be prudent and not sign up with the first developer that knocks at the door.
CLA member offer on our Stop/Go™ Study
We're offering CLA members a discount on our Stop/Go feasibility study which establishes if their land has a genuine opportunity for a cost-effective grid connection and a viable energy scheme.
Interested in energy schemes? Check grid capacity
Press release: Landowners interested in securing income from energy schemes should not be put off by an apparent lack of grid capacity. Grid availability is changing all the time, with success often depending on timing.
Large-scale solar back on track for rural estates
Press release: Developing large-scale solar parks is becoming viable again, particularly for rural estates looking to invest. Our CEO gives his views, along with the lending perspective from the head of landed-estates at Barclays, and the tax benefits from Old Mill Accountants.
Failure to check energy potential of land could cost millions
Press release: Land agents and farmers buying and selling land should ensure they check the potential for energy projects before proceeding, to avoid missing out on valuable contracts.
The return of the large-scale standalone solar market
As solar technology prices decrease and energy prices increase, we are at a tipping point in the large-scale solar market. With opportunities returning, large-scale solar, located with or without batteries, can offer landowners with the right sites a strong diversification income.
Large-scale solar makes a comeback
Large-scale solar power projects are set to make a comeback as costs decline – and landowners should act now to secure rental agreements.
Beware developers off-loading grid connection rights, warns Roadnight Taylor
Press release: Landowners should be cautious of offers to buy grid connection rights for battery storage schemes. No matter what the situation or the fee, there can be substantial financial obligations within accepted grid offers - and the site may not even be viable.
Farm diversification income from energy projects – frequently asked questions (as at 2018)
As rural landowners look to diversify and tackle the economic challenges post-Brexit, energy schemes can offer those with viable sites a new income solution. We’ve compiled a list of answers to the most common questions we get asked by landowners.
Get in or miss out, warns Roadnight Taylor
Press release: Landowners who are considering generating or storing energy should act fast before grid capacity runs out. The electrical grid is heavily constrained with some areas having only pockets of capacity remaining. So even where a site has good planning and access attributes, it may not be able to get a grid connection which stops a project in its tracks.
13 Do’s and Don’ts for securing lucrative ground rents from energy schemes
There are opportunities for landowners to earn diversification incomes from power generation and energy storage schemes. We give some tips to ensure you secure the best ground rents from hosting such schemes.
Battery storage versus gas gensets – a market snapshot
We are currently seeing a stronger market and appetite from developers for gas genset sites compared to battery storage sites. This results from several related market conditions which we explain below.
Don’t miss National Grid’s deadline
Press release: Time is running out for landowners who want to host a large-scale power generation or battery storage scheme, with a key deadline looming.
Act quickly to avoid grid application fees
Press release: Farmers and landowners interested in energy generation or storage projects should act quickly to avoid potentially steep fees. From 6 April network operators in England, Wales and Scotland will be able to charge up-front fees for grid connection offers, which could run into thousands of pounds.
CLA members – find out if you have potential battery storage or power scheme sites
While opportunities for power generation and battery storage schemes exist in industrial and urban areas, the greatest potential can be found in rural areas. Find out why we are offering CLA (Country Land and Business Association) members an exclusive offer on our Stop/Go feasibility studies.
Discover your battery storage opportunities ahead of your neighbours
We were delighted to be asked to contribute an article to Farming Monthly after they had seen an article by Hugh in another publication. The article below was first published in Farming Monthly's digital edition - September 2017.
Subsidy-free stand-alone solar is coming, but it isn’t quite here yet
At the end of September the UK's first subsidy-free solar farm was unveiled. There is no doubt that this scheme is a step forward for the renewables industry. However, even though this scheme was financially viable without any subsidies, it doesn’t mean that every large solar scheme will be, in the short term.
What makes a good gas genset site?
Most of the 'noise' in the energy industry is about the lucrative opportunities from battery storage, and we've written about sites that are suitable for battery storage before. However, batteries are not suitable for all sites or all parts of the electrical grid. A gas genset may be suitable for sites where a battery storage isn't.
Be proactive. Don’t wait for a developer to come to you.
To get the best out of any scheme we encourage landowners to be proactive and investigate their energy opportunities. If appropriate, seek permission to connect to the electrical grid before a developer approaches them. Maintaining control throughout the process is key to success.
Is battery storage suitable for your farm?
Hugh contributed to an article on battery storage in the National Farmers Union (NFU) British Farmer and Grower magazine in February 2017. He explained that farmer or landowner-owned battery storage schemes are best suited to sites that have year-long, high and variable power use – for example for processing, heating or cooling - ideally twinned with high and intermittent on-site energy generation.
Woah! Hold your horses on battery storage!
Hugh urges those spouting forth the huge opportunities from battery storage to approach storage much more cautiously. He looks at the pitfalls and correct approaches to leasing sites to storage developers and self-funded schemes.