Onshore Wind Conference 2021 Programme

Onshore wind is a Scottish success story, delivering for the economy, communities, consumers and for the climate. But despite this success and the declaration of a Climate Emergency, further deployment feels like an uphill struggle.

In this session we’ll address:

• The scope of Scotland’s onshore wind ambition
• The future shape and size of Scotland’s onshore wind industry – and what we need to do to get there
• What Scotland’s onshore wind industry could deliver for our people, communities and our climate

Welcome & Chair
Claire Mack, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables

Speaker
Lee Wilkinson, Senior Consultant, BVG Associates

Panellists
Lesley McNeil, Head of Wind Energy Policy & Development, Scottish Government
Derek Hastings, Head of Onshore Projects, SSE Renewables
Jeremy Sainsbury OBE FRICS, Director, Natural Power

Q & A 

We have the wind, technology and ambition, but without grid connections available at a reasonable cost and in reasonable timescales, and without visibility on the capacity available through support mechanisms, we cannot rise to the net-zero challenge. Our current system was designed for a different era and is no longer fit for purpose. It’s time for change.

In this session you will learn:

•  The real negative impact of TNUoS on achieving net-zero
• Alternative approaches to grid reinforcement – and how they can make marginal projects viable
• What CfD AR4 must deliver to support onshore wind development – and how you can help

Chair
Morag Watson, Director of Policy, Scottish Renewables

Speakers
David Boyland, Commercial Policy Manager, SSEN Transmission
Charlotte Ramsay, Director - Energy Systems Management and Security, Ofgem
Joe Dunn, Head of Grid and Regulation, ScottishPower Renewables
David Acres, Head of Policy, EDF Renewables UK 

Q & A

With the declaration of a Climate Emergency and world-leading net-zero targets, Scotland’s planning system needs to adapt quickly to enable renewable energy to play its key role in delivering our climate change ambitions. The Scottish Government’s NPF4 Position Statement says it wants to rebalance the planning system and give greater weight to climate change in future land use decisions – but will rhetoric become reality?

In this session we’ll cover:

• What rebalancing the planning system could look like in practice
• Wind farms of the future, and the planning system’s role in enabling the use of the latest turbine technology
• How renewable developments are affected by wider land use issues and objectives, including securing positive
  effects for biodiversity

Chair
Craig Whelton, Partner, Burges Salmon

Speakers
Marcus Trinick QC
Geum Chrystal, Senior Project Manager, Natural Power
Simon Brooks, Strategic Planning Manager, NatureScot
Andy Sloan, Head of Consents Strategy, SSE Renewables

Q & A

Closing remarks
Morag Watson, Director of Policy, Scottish Renewables