We believe we are only as good as our last job…
Below are some summary case studies of how we have supported both Landowners and Developers through certain aspects of Renewables Development. These are just a few of many examples of where we have added value and reduced risk for our clients. Please contact us for more information, as we really do have in-depth experience across the whole renewable project lifecycle.
Case Study One – Landowner Wind farm Negotiation
FGE embody a “Poacher turned Gamekeeper” ethos when representing landowners, leveraging our extensive experience from the developer perspective to enhance the landowner’s commercial position and mitigate risks. This approach was exemplified in our collaboration with a well-known forestry management company, where we orchestrated negotiations for a wind farm project on behalf of their client. We negotiated improved terms on behalf of the landowner resulting in the outcome below:
- A 74% increase in estimated Landowner Income through the Option and Lease Periods compared to the original Developer offer, equating to an additional £14 million of landowner income throughout the project lifecycle.
- Fortified the landowner’s position through meticulous drafting of comprehensive Heads of Terms, minimising the risks of deal creep during the legal phase.
- A reduction in landowner exposure, achieved by advocating crucial changes to the Developer Exclusivity Agreement.
- Our efforts secured payment of all of the landowner’s professional fees by the developer and ensured penalty-free termination rights.
Case Study Two – Strategic Approach to Renewable Energy
FGE reviewed the whole land portfolio belonging to a well-known landed estate for potential opportunities for sensitive renewable energy development. The estate had previously dealt with approaches from developers for individual renewable energy developments but wanted to take a more strategic approach by understanding the potential opportunities for Onshore Wind Energy and Solar Energy developments, co-located with Battery Energy Storage Systems.
The assignment began with the landowner providing us with shapefiles outlining the full extent of their estate lands. Using our state-of-the-art GIS system, we identified the optimum locations for possible deployment of renewable energy technologies by ruling out areas that were subject to low wind speed, low irradiance levels, poor topography, low grid availability, environmental designations and also taking into account localised issues such as extensive peat deposits, landscaped gardens or areas of outstanding natural beauty.
The project resulted in an extensively detailed report that identified 15 commercial scale Onshore Wind Energy locations, with the potential for over 1,500MW of capacity; 2 extra-large Solar Energy developments with the potential for another 1,500MW of renewable capacity; and, opportunities for co-located BESS with potential for over 300MW of capacity.
Case Study Three – Abnormal Load Access
FGE were instructed by a large developer to unlock access for abnormal load deliveries to one of their wind farm developments. The brief included both conventional and blade-lifter style access arrangements. The original list of land negotiations included a broad mix of over 20 landowners, from government departments to individual householders, from which full access or over-sail agreements were required. Negotiations had to be completed for the full access route within a 12 month period.
Our approach initially sought to minimise the number of landowners that were required. FGE led a re-design of the route in conjunction with transport specialists, with the focus very much on ownership boundaries. As a result, FGE reduced the number of landowner agreements from over 20 to just 5, using a conventional blade transporter. Importantly, for most of the land parcels required, FGE also identified an alternative route as contingency in case the negotiations stalled on the primary route.
FGE engaged with each landowner to present an initial set of terms depending on how much land was required. On-going discussions required flexibility to understand and interpret the softer elements of what each landowner really needed from the negotiation. Commercial terms were agreed for the Abnormal Load access route with all landowners within 9 months. Our support continued through landowner management and supporting the legal process.
As a by-product of our listening approach, we were able to negotiate a possible 4-turbine extension to the wind farm with a landowner, which we negotiated on behalf of the developer, resulting in an Option and Lease being agreed.
Case Study Four – Ready to Build
FGE were engaged by a large wind farm developer to secure Ready to Build status for one of its wind farms. The brief was to ensure project risks were minimised and the construction of the development could proceed with the full approval of the Local Authority and the Scottish Ministers.
We reviewed in-depth the suspensive conditions contained within the consent and engaged with specialists in each area to prepare the necessary reports, for example the Construction Environment Management Plan, for submission to the relevant stakeholders. We secured agreements over aviation safeguarding provisions; engaged with SPEN, securing land rights with a number of landowners along the HV and LV cable routes; secured agreement over the Restoration Bond; and, discharged all necessary planning conditions to allow construction to proceed.
The project is now operational.