Large investments are currently being made in rural green energy projects across the region as landowners, businessmen and entrepreneurs see the long-term benefits of supporting the renewables sector, say regional legal specialists.
And, as our country changes the way it produces energy, more opportunity will come this area’s way, say the experts who are witnessing increasing support for, and interest in, green energy projects.
It was reported earlier this month how Britain had not used coal for two weeks – the longest period since the 1880s. At the same time the National Grid Electricity System Operator confirmed that the national record for solar power had also been broken in May.
And just this week outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May has committed to an amendment to the Climate Change Act to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, making Britain the first major economy to do so.
At the Lincolnshire Show, Wilkin Chapman solicitors are attending to offer advice as professional services’ experts in the sector. The firm has built up a wealth of knowledge, supporting services from cable easement projects for major offshore farms (issues associated with installing cabling across agricultural land) to on-farm renewable projects comprising solar, anaerobic digestion and wind farms.
Its team provided the professional support when the very first UK anaerobic digestion plant was developed in Huddersfield. Since then, it has been engaged in the successful creation of such plants across rural Lincolnshire, where landowners saw the potential to focus efforts into renewable energy.
Initially supported by generous tax incentives for partner investors, these plants are now needing re-investment. And, says Partner and head of Corporate and Commercial Russell Eke, they have not been short of takers.
To date, Russell and his team are involved in the buy-out of six anaerobic digestion plants. All in the region, they will continue to run with the new investment – using feedstock to generate clean renewable energy.
“There is little doubt of the innovate way in which our country is now committed to engaging in, and supporting, the renewables revolution and this region is ideally placed to benefit with the obvious assets of sitting alongside the Humber estuary and on some of the UK’s prime agricultural land – perfect for these types as well as solar power and turbine projects,” said Russell.
“Our experience tells us that a growing number of landowners, businesses, entrepreneurs and investors and happy to look at these. By growing together, we can fuel a new future for the region and the wider country,” he added.
Russell will be at the Wilkin Chapman marquee at the Lincolnshire Show, alongside colleagues from the agricultural and other sectors, to discuss the future of farming, of which renewables and new technology will be a major part. They will be joined by a talented illustrator from Live Illustration who will be using large boards on which to draw the thoughts and feelings of guests on the next 150 years of agriculture – reflecting the 150th anniversary of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society.
