Onshore Wind Conference 2025 Speakers

Megan Amundson

Head of Onshore Wind & Consenting

Megan Amundson is the Head of Onshore Wind and Consenting for Scottish Renewables, the trade body for the renewable industry in Scotland. She works with the UK Government, Scottish Government, and local planning authorities to put policies in place that grow Scotland’s renewables industry and support reaching Scotland’s net-zero targets.

Finley Becks-Phelps

UK Head of Development, Nadara

Finley Becks-Phelps is Country Head of Development UK at Nadara, one of the largest independent energy developers in the UK and Europe. He leads national strategy and delivery of renewable energy projects, with a focus on onshore wind. Finley also supports Scottish Renewables, contributing to policy and industry alignment across Scotland’s energy transition. With over a decade of experience in infrastructure and stakeholder engagement, he brings practical insight into planning, permitting, and repowering. At the onshore wind conference, Finley represents Nadara’s leading voice in repowering, helping shape the future of sustainable energy across the UK.

Kersti Berge

Director of Energy and Climate Change, Scottish Government

Kersti is Director for Energy and Climate Change at the Scottish Government with responsibility for climate change, energy, the water industry and consumer issues. Previously Kersti was a director at the UK energy regulator Ofgem, an Economic Advisor at the UK Treasury and lecturer in Economics at Oxford University.

Sinclair Browne

Chief Executive, Port of Inverness

Sinclair was appointed CEO at the Port of Inverness in 2011. The Port, operated as a Trust Port, is one of the leading Ports in the north specialising in a wide range of cargos and over the last 10-years, Sinclair has been at the forefront of the Port’s transformation into a leading logistical hub for the renewable energy sector. He also led the Port’s contribution as one of the main consortium members of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, one of two Green Freeports in Scotland.

Over this period more than 350 wind turbines have come through the Port. Since his appointment, turnover at the Port has doubled with staff numbers increasing by almost one third. Sinclar is currently the Chair of the British Port’s Scottish Ports Group the industry group for the ports’ industry in Scotland. He is also a Council Member of the wider British Ports Association. He is a well-known figure in the Scottish Ports sector and regularly speaks at conferences on a range of port related topics.

Joanna Ellis

Chief Commercial Officer, Nadara

Joanna has a strong background in structuring, negotiating, and closing renewable power purchase agreements. With over 20 years’ experience in senior roles within vertically integrated utilities, Joanna has worked across the wholesale energy market in trading and commercial operations for UK Power, Gas and Coal. Spending the first 10 years of her career working in short-term trading roles before moving into origination. Joanna was a member of the DESNZ Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce in the UK and now participates in the Onshore Wind Council and associated Independant Delivery Group.

Dr Catrin Ellis Jones

Head of Public Involvement, Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru

For Wales’ state-owned renewable energy company, Catrin’s focus is on engaging communities, citizens and other stakeholders to conder how Trydan’s projects, corporate efforts, and ways of working can optimise benefits – economic, social, environmental and cultural now, and long term.

Born in Eryri, Catrin studied geology. In a career spanning three decades (so far), and hyper-local to international spheres, she has been involved in natural resource exploration, extraction, and ultimately, better, fairer ways of working with citizens and with nature.
Previously Head of Stakeholder Engagement for Offshore Wind at Vattenfall, Catrin brings insights from different regimes regulating development across Europe. Her work in Cymru, ranges from designing dialogue informing the Well Being of Future Generations Act, to the establishment of the Pen y Cymoedd Community Benefit Fund.

Shona Glenn

Development Director, BiGGAR Economics

Shona is an economist with 20 years experience in economic development who has been involved in assessing the socio-economic impacts of onshore wind farms since 2009. A long-term resident of the Highlands, she is passionate about the transformative potential of renewable development for rural communities.

Over the past couple of years Shona has been particularly focused on the implications of the new expectations created by NPF4 and has helped clients in both industry and the public sector to understand what the new policy means for them. She was closely involved in developing Scottish Renewables guidance on maximising socio-economic benefits and has worked with several clients to apply it to renewable energy projects using different technologies in different parts of Scotland.

Beth Gray

Cultural Heritage Lead - Scotland, SLR

Beth leads the Cultural Heritage team in Scotland. With over 10 years experience, Beth's main role is overseeing complex Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Impact Assessments for large-scale infrastructure projects. While her focus is mainly on renewable energy developments, such as S36 wind farms in Scotland, Beth's expertise spans across various sectors.

Before joining SLR as a consultant, Beth worked as a field archaeologist, where she supervised major watching briefs and large-scale excavations in Scotland and England. Her dual experience as a consultant and field archaeologist provides her with a comprehensive understanding of the industry, including detailed knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and guidance required in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

Beth has established excellent working relationships with statutory consultees, including Historic Environment Scotland. Recently, she collaborated with them to approve the use of Digital Modelling to enhance the consultation process. Under her leadership, Beth's team continues to employ innovative approaches and techniques to tackle complex issues.

Naomi Harris

Head of UK Public Affairs, Statkraft

Naomi leads Statkraft UK’s external advocacy. This involves responding to emerging policy and determining what it means for Statkraft’s development, trading and origination, and asset management activities. Naomi builds and maintains close relations with Government, and bodies such as NESO and Ofgem, as well as industry stakeholders, and politicians from across the political spectrum. Before joining Statkraft, she held senior positions at public affairs consultancies, after working for the CBI in both London and Brussels. She started her career as a local newspaper reporter, and is a graduate of the University of Sheffield.

Nick Hibberd

Policy Manager, RenewableUK

Nick leads RenewableUK’s work on Markets Policy design, focusing on policy development for REMA and the CfD scheme. Nick has worked on the development of non-price factors for the CfD and late-life policy for offshore wind, and is secretariat of RUK's Market Design Working Group. Nick is passionate about energy decarbonisation and has been part of RenewableUK for two years after completing an MSc in Public Policy.

Matthieu Hue

Chief Executive Officer, EDF power solutions UK and Ireland

Matthieu Hue has more than 20 years’ experience within the EDF Group, in the energy sector and particularly in renewable energy.

Matthieu joined EDF in the year 2000. He worked on the formation of EDF Renewables UK and Ireland and joined the company when established in 2008. Actively involved in the successful expansion of the company to EDF power solutions UK and Ireland, Matthieu is now leading a team of almost 700 people who are involved in every stage of delivering renewables projects from development and construction to asset management.

The company has an ambitious development pipeline of projects to achieve 10GW by 2035.

In July 2024, Matthieu was made co-chair of the new Onshore Wind Taskforce set up by Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband. Together they will lead industry and government to create practical solutions to accelerate the journey to net zero.

Matthieu has a master in economics from the University of Paris and an MBA from Columbia and London Business School.

Kenny Lean

Economic Development Manager, South Lanarkshire Council

Kenny Lean is an Economic Development Manager for South Lanarkshire Council, with over 20 years’ experience leading the design and delivery of strategic initiatives, partnerships, and programmes across capital and revenue streams. Initially trained as a landscape designer, Kenny brings a unique perspective to place-based development, combining environmental insight with economic strategy.

He has successfully secured over £150 million in funding from the EU, Scottish Government, and UK Government, driving transformative projects that support inclusive growth, infrastructure, and innovation across South Lanarkshire. His work is particularly focused on strengthening the rural economy, leveraging local assets and building collaborative partnerships with agencies, communities, and the private sector.

Kenny also manages the South Lanarkshire Renewable Energy Fund, a £150 million + of community benefits funding spanning 25 years, aimed at reinvesting community benefits funding from wind energy into local communities and sustainable development. His leadership continues to shape South Lanarkshire’s transition to a greener, more resilient economy.

Hans-Georg von Lewinski

Director & Head of International Development, Caeli Platform for Renewables

Hans-Georg is an experienced Senior Executive specialising in the Technology Industry, Digital Transformation, and Renewable Energy.

With 30 plus years of consulting experience across strategy, transformation and international operating models, he is now focused on delivering accelerated outcomes for the on-shore wind energy sector. As the director of Caeli Platform for Renewables he is responsible for the market entry and the scaling of Caeli’s unique technology platform to support stakeholders in reaching the 2030 net zero goals. Looking forward to connecting during on-shore Wind 2025 in Edinburgh.

Paul Manning

Co-Founder and Co-CEO, NovoGrid

Paul Manning is a co-founder of NovoGrid, a Dublin based grid analytics company established in 2014 with Professor Andrew Keane. As the commercial lead, Paul drives business strategy and development, guiding renewable energy and data center developers through grid connection challenges using NovoGrid’s innovative GridScreen solution. He is the company’s public face, frequently representing NovoGrid at events and conferences to showcase its services and vision for sustainable energy solutions.

Paul holds a BSc in Biotechnology from Dublin City University and an MBA from University College Dublin, where he met his co-founder, Andrew Keane. Their shared commitment to addressing climate change fuels Paul’s dedication to advancing renewable energy integration.

With 15 years of prior experience in construction, Paul brings a wealth of expertise to his leadership role. In 2024, NovoGrid was successfully acquired by SCADA International and Magnesium Capital, marking a significant milestone in its mission to optimize grid performance for a sustainable future.

Jamie McRorie

Partner, Shepherd and Wedderburn

Jamie recently joined Shepherd and Wedderburn as a partner from the energy regulator Ofgem where he was the Head of Legal for energy systems, working at the forefront of energy transformation in the UK. During this time, Jamie was responsible for advising on and delivering work across Ofgem’s functions, including network regulation, wholesale markets and retail markets. This included leading Ofgem’s input into significant pieces of primary legislation, advising on policy decisions, conducting investigations and defending decisions in regulatory appeals and judicial review. His advice included the design and delivery of subsidy and incentive schemes for low carbon technologies, grid connection, charging reform, energy pricing, market and connections reform, international sanctions, Contracts for Difference, and the Capacity Market. Jamie also led on the implementation of cyber-security measures throughout the regulated energy market.

Dr Andy Mills

Director - Terrain, OWC

Andy is a peatland geomorphologist with over 27 years’ experience assessing and interpreting peatlands, and has supported renewable energy and grid projects across Scotland, Wales and England. Andy was lead technical author of the Scottish Government Peat Landslide Hazard and Risk Assessment Best Practice Guide in 2007 and its 2017 revision. He was lead technical checker on behalf of the Scottish Government for reports submitted under the guidance between 2007 and 2013 and from 2015 to 2018. He has worked with NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION team in assessing and mitigating landslide risks associated with peat restoration activities and sits on Scottish Government’s Peatland Expert Advisory Group (PEAG). As such, Andy has a unique understanding of the key issues relating to peat stability, peat management and peatland restoration in association with built infrastructure. He has successfully defended both his own work and the work of others in relation to peatlands as a peat expert witness for wind farms in both Wales and Scotland.

Kate Mulvany

Principal Consultant, Cornwall Insight

Kate Mulvany is a Principal Consultant at Cornwall Insight, with two decades’ experience in energy market design and policy. She specialises in strategy for organisations in regulated markets, helping navigate the complexities of whole system interactions and project level investment decisions. Against a backdrop of rising costs and ongoing policy uncertainty Kate has researched and advised on REMA and reform of market signals for developers, investors and policy makers.

Dr Angie Nagle

CEO & Co-Founder, BladeBridge

Angie Nagle is the co-founder of BladeBridge, which repurposes unwanted wind turbine blades into pedestrian bridges and outdoor furniture. BladeBridge is helping the wind sector find a high value next life option for its waste, while offering the public sector circular infrastructure products to boost green procurement efforts. Angie’s PhD research focused on Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and Business Model development for the repurposing of wind blade material. Previous to this, Angie founded and ran The Baby Markets, organising events across the country in which parents could buy and sell pre-loved baby goods. Previous to delving into entrepreneurship, Angie was a process development engineer for Boston Scientific and Intel. Angie grew up in Alaska and has been living in Ireland since 2003.

Gillian Noble

MD of Onshore Origination and Development, ScottishPower Renewables

Gillian is currently the Managing Director for Onshore Origination and Development at ScottishPower Renewables (SPR), where she will lead the acceleration of Onshore Renewables growth for the company across Wind, Solar and BESS technologies. Prior to this, Gillian held the role of Managing Director for Offshore Development and Operations across the UK and Ireland where she provided leadership to SPR’s UK offshore activities, focused on delivering SPR’s existing UK operational Offshore windfarms at East Anglia ONE and West of Duddon Sands, whilst continually developing portfolio in the largest global offshore market. This includes development of SPR’s three ScotWind and Irish projects and securing new sites in future seabed leasing in the UK. Having joined ScottishPower in 2000 she has held a number of senior management roles across the company and prior to her move to Renewables was Sales Director in the ScottishPower Customer Business where she led the delivery of core energy customer acquisition targets, Power Purchase Agreements and Smart Solutions customer sales. In addition, she has led strategic activities in the development and delivery of the company’s key energy efficiency and fuel poverty government obligations.

Jon O’Sullivan

BU Director Onshore Wind, EDF power solutions UK and Ireland

Jon O’Sullivan is the Business Unit Director of Onshore Wind at EDF power solutions UK and Ireland. This entails leading the team developing all onshore wind and solar projects in the UK including consenting, investment cases, Mergers & Acquisitions, strategy and route to market.
Prior to joining EDF Renewables, Jon was at Vattenfall for 10 years gaining experience across the full life-cycle of development, construction and operations of renewables. Roles included Director of Vattenfall’s operational onshore wind, solar and battery assets in the UK, Commercial Director in offshore and onshore projects etc. Before this, Jon started his career at BP Alternative Energy and worked on solar, wind, biofuels and M&A projects for 11 years.
Jon has an MSc in Management from the University of Bath and an MBA from the University of Exeter. His passion is to make a positive difference and support the acceleration of net zero in the UK.

Stefan Persson

Director & Head of Cable Monitoring Solutions, NKT

Stefan Persson have been with NKT for over ten years and brings experience from both leading the Service business and as the commercial head of the low- and medium voltage businesses. Recent years he has been building a new business line supporting customers in the operational phase utilizing cable monitoring to optimize and keep the cable systems more secure. An area attracting great interest driven by the changes in the geopolitical situation.

Sally Poxon

Principal Validation Engineer, ORE Catapult

Sally works at ORE Catapult, Blyth. Her work focusses on the introduction of new testing techniques into the blade testing facilities, so that they can address the future requirements of the industry, bridging the gap between research and test execution. She has a background in Mechanical Engineering and has worked in the wind industry for over 15 years. She is a Peer Assessor for blade testing in the IECRE System as well as a member of MT23 (maintenance team for IEC61400-23 blade testing standard).

Sarah Redwood

Director of Renewable Electricity, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Sarah is Director of Renewable Electricity at Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. She is responsible for accelerating deployment of technologies to deliver the Government’s Mission to achieve clean power by 2030, supported by thriving industries and skilled jobs within the UK.
Previously she worked in BEIS on science and innovation, publishing the UK Research & Development Roadmap and in DECC and Defra on a range of energy and climate policies.

James Robottom

Head of Onshore Wind Delivery, RenewableUK

James is Head of Onshore Wind Delivery at RenewableUK. James lead's RenewableUK's work on onshore wind as well as a wider programme of work advocacy and policy including planning, environment and community. James has spent over a decade working in the energy industry, looking at energy, renewables and climate across communications, public affairs and policy for trade associations and membership bodies.

Charlotte Stamper

Consultant, The Circularity Collective

Charlotte is the co-founder and lead consultant at The Circularity Collective, a network of commercial and academic experts focused on growing the circular economy in the renewables and foundation material industries.

Prior to this, Charlotte worked at EMR where she setup a new business unit providing circular decommissioning solutions for end-of-life renewable energy infrastructure, including wind turbines and solar panels.

Charlotte has also held roles at Scottish Renewables and Zero Waste Scotland. She is a Chartered Waste Manager, a Member of the Institute for Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, and holds a PhD in geochemistry.

Chris Stark CBE

Head of Mission Control for Clean Power 2030

Chris Stark leads the UK Government’s mission to achieve Clean Power by 2030, heading ’Mission Control’, the nerve centre of its delivery. He is tasked with defining Britain’s path to clean power and ensuring policies and the key institutions are equipped to deliver it.

Chris is a renowned climate and energy policy expert, speaking regularly about the urgency of confronting climate change and the opportunities of developing clean energy. As CEO of the UK’s Climate Change Committee he was the UK’s chief climate adviser, leading independent advice to put the world’s first Net Zero target into law and developing detailed cross-economy pathways to its achievement under the UK Climate Change Act. Chris has also been CEO of the Carbon Trust, a global climate consultancy, and has held a number of senior roles in the UK and Scottish Governments over the last 20 years.

Kenny Taylor

Partner – Net Zero Infrastructure, Zero Waste Scotland

Zero Waste Scotland are a non-department public body and the Scottish Government’s advisory agency on transitioning to a circular economy. As lead on net zero infrastructure, my role is to influence the energy sector on pushing materials higher up the waste hierarchy leading to more sustainable practices, reducing consumption and capturing value from adopting whole life approaches to asset management. My previous roles include 13 years involved in the planning of onshore renewables, and 7 years in delivering SEPA’s regulatory function.

Jason Welch

VP & Managing Director, Nordex UK & Ireland

VP & Managing Director of Nordex UK & Ireland: 20 years’ experience in energy, including a decade in renewables across the UK and Europe. Proven leader in supply chain and O&M, with a strong track record of driving progress and delivering impact. Jason previously sat on the UK Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce Executive Committee and is now part of the Onshore Wind Industry Delivery Group. He also served as Vice Chair of SafetyOn, championing industry-wide health and safety collaboration. Bringing a strategic, solutions-focused perspective, he is firmly committed to the green energy transition and building a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Rebecca Windemer

Planning Lead, Regen

Rebecca is the planning lead at Regen, an independent, not-for-profit centre of energy expertise supporting the transition to a net zero energy system. She specialises in planning reform, community engagement, and community benefits for renewable energy. Rebecca holds a PhD in repowering onshore wind farms and is the lead author of a major study on the impact of the 2015 onshore wind policy change in England. A recognised expert in renewable energy planning, her research has informed national policy, and she regularly advises government and industry.

Jo Wotton

Associate Director – Evnvironmental Planning, LUC

Jo Wotton BSc (Hons) MSc MIEMA CEnv is an Associate Director of Environmental Planning at LUC with over 15 years of professional experience across the private and public sectors, including project management of numerous complex EIA projects involving large multi-disciplinary teams, from feasibility through to discharge of planning conditions. Jo has managed several EIAs for onshore wind farms and energy transmission projects across Scotland and is currently leading the Onshore Wind Sector Deal (OWSD) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 'Task and Finish Group' in collaboration with Ramboll.

Stephen Barrett

Director of Membership & Strategic Engagement, Energy & Utility Skills

Stephen is responsible for the effective delivery of strategic stakeholder engagement and membership services at Energy & Utility Skills. Leading on the development and delivery of the 2020-25 skills strategy, his focus is on delivering a safe, skilled and sustainable workforce across the power, gas water and waste and recycling industries. Stephen leads on the programme of work for the Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership, National Skills Academy for Power, National Skills Academy for Gas and Water Strategy, which encompasses EDI, sector attraction, workforce resilience, skills and competencies. He has led successful organisational design, competency management and strategic change programmes, holds an MBA, and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

Keith Bell

ScottishPower Professor of Future Power Systems, University of Strathclyde

Keith Bell holds the Scottish Power Chair in Future Power Systems at the University of Strathclyde. He joined Strathclyde in 2005 after roles as a university researcher and as a system development engineer with National Grid. He is a co-Director of the UK Energy Research Centre. In 2019 he became a member of the UK’s Climate Change Committee. A Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, he has advised the Scottish, UK and Irish governments and Ofgem on electrical energy and power systems issues and is active in CIGRE, the International Council of Large Electric Systems.

Dr Mark-Paul Buckingham

CEO, Xi Engineering Consultants

Dr. Mark-Paul Buckingham is CEO of Xi Engineering Consultants, leading the company’s work at the forefront of measurement, simulation, and digital twin technology. With over two decades of experience, he specialises in combining real-world data with advanced models to deliver practical solutions for the renewable energy sector. His work helps operators and developers overcome barriers to deployment, extend turbine lifetime, and optimise performance. Under his leadership, Xi has delivered digital twin solutions globally, from wind turbines to industrial systems, ensuring assets run reliably, efficiently, and safely throughout their lifecycle.

Darren Cuming

Head of Development, Onshore Wind, EDF power solutions UK and Ireland

Darren is a chartered town planner with over 23 years experience in the renewable energy industry and has worked for a number of large energy utility companies over that time. Since being at EDF power solutions he has been involved in securing a significant pipeline of renewable projects.

Alan Currie

Head of North Europe Origination, Nadara

Alan is an accomplished energy sector leader and serves as Head of Origination for Northern Europe at Nadara. In this role, Alan leads strategic initiatives for a portfolio that comprises 4 GW of operational onshore renewable assets as well as an extensive development pipeline that is set to drive future growth and innovation across the region. With deep expertise in structuring, negotiating, and executing a wide range of PPAs for utilities, corporates, and financial offtakers, Alan focuses on optimising revenue, managing risk, and enabling market access across several European countries. His career has spanned roles in commercial origination, regulatory management, and energy analysis, including work with energy regulation, stakeholder engagement, and the management of major wind farm portfolios.

Manon Derelle

Director, Baringa

Manon is a Director with over ten years of professional experience in consulting in the energy sector. Her expertise is primarily focused around energy market regulation, market design and the energy transition. She is currently leading Baringa’s renewables commercial advisory team – spanning all key renewable technologies and international markets, and covering policy, route to market (CfD vs PPA), due diligence and strategy. She has advised numerous developers and governments on auction strategy and is a recognised auction expert.

Grant Douglas

Head of Planning and Environmental Policy, ScottishPower Renewables

Delivering clean, green electricity to homes and businesses is the key objective of ScottishPower Renewables, a healthy policy landscape which supports projects is key to delivering this ambition. Grant Douglas is responsible planning & environmental policy across ScottishPower Renewables’ Onshore and Offshore projects throughout the UK and Ireland.

A chartered Town Planner, Grant has worked across the energy industry and held a several strategic positions within ScottishPower over the past decade. He is a leading voice within the planning profession and has helped drive forward UK planning reforms on behalf of the renewables sector.

Frank Elsworth

Director, ERECL

In January 2025, Frank established ERECL, a consultancy dedicated to advising and supporting developers and investors in renewable energy projects, from site origination through to operational readiness.

With 19 years of experience in the renewables industry at Vattenfall and Nuon, Frank has held senior management roles since 2017. As Head of Construction Management, Frank oversaw projects across northern Europe, and from 2019, led site finding and project and portfolio development activities in the UK as Head of Market Development.

Earlier in his career, Frank held Project Manager and Construction Manager roles in projects at various stages of the project lifecycle, primarily in onshore wind, and spent two years in offshore wind development and consent compliance roles.

Alice Etheridge

Head of Strategic and Spatial Energy Planning, NESO

Alice is leading delivery of GB’s first Strategic Spatial Energy Plan within the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Prior to this Alice has carried out a number of roles in her twelve years in NESO and National Grid, including delivery of the Holistic Network Design as part of the DESNZ-led Offshore Transmission Network Review, leading stakeholder engagement to develop the Electricity System Operator (ESO) RIIO-2 Business Plan, developing the Network Development Strategy and leading elements of the Future Energy Scenarios. Prior to this, Alice spent nine years in the Civil Service in the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

James Gibson

Partner, Eversheds Sutherland

James is a partner at global law firm Eversheds Sutherland, where he leads the Scottish planning practice. James is a specialist energy consenting lawyer who advises developers on major energy infrastructure projects both in Scotland and across the UK including many of the largest onshore wind farm proposals. James is also experienced in advising on consenting offshore wind energy, solar energy, battery storage, and other low carbon technologies. James is a member of the Scottish Renewables Working Group on EIA, SPF Planning and Development Committee, and National Infrastructure Planning Association. He is involved in various initiatives relevant to onshore wind consenting including legal advice to the Eskdalemuir Working Group. James has advised on all aspects of development under the town and country planning regime, Electricity Act 1989 and the Planning Act 2008 including review of EIA Report and HRA documentation, drafting planning conditions, written submissions, instructing Counsel at inquiry, undertaking advocacy at hearings, and advising on various strategic matters.

Merlin Hyman

CEO, Regen

Merlin leads Regen's mission to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon energy system. Under his leadership, Regen has developed into a leading organisation shaping the strategic pathway to a clean energy future.While focusing on the systemic challenges of decarbonising power, heat and transport, Merlin is a leading voice in grid connection reform, chairing NESO's Connections Reform Advisory Group. He also sits on several leading forums, including DESNZ/Ofgem's Connections Delivery Board.

Merlin has spent his career working for solutions to the climate crisis, championing public policies that unlock the power of businesses and communities to transform our energy system. Previously, he was a director of the Environmental Industries Commission, where he worked in Whitehall and Westminster to ensure government support for companies providing environmental solutions. Merlin is also a non-executive director for Communities for Renewables. He is an influential figure in energy policy and was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to sustainable energy.

Merlin can often be found attempting yoga or messing about on boats in Devon.

Peter Rowe

Development Manager, Cubico

Peter Rowe is Development Manager at Cubico, leading Scout Moor II, a 100 MW onshore wind farm in Lancashire and Greater Manchester. As the first scheme in England to advance since the lifting of the de facto ban, it marks a major milestone for the sector. As an experienced town planner, Peter has overseen complex projects from site origination through to planning, environmental assessment, and stakeholder engagement. He works closely with landowners, councils, and communities to deliver robust, locally supported schemes, and is passionate about maximising supply chain opportunities, jobs, and long-term community benefits from the transition to clean energy.

Will Russell

Business Development Manager, SmartestEnergy

Will works within SmartestEnergy’s Generation team, partnering with a broad range of generators and offtakers to structure Power Purchase Agreements that maximise returns for developers while delivering long-term value to customers. His focus is on expanding SmartestEnergy’s generation portfolio through commercially sound and future-focused energy solutions.
With extensive experience in the energy sector, including roles at Innova Renewables and the Ingenious Group, Will brings a strong background in business development, deal origination, and the structuring and negotiation of energy contracts.

Throughout this session, Will will share insights into the current state of the PPA market and how it’s shaping investment decisions in onshore wind. He’ll also explore alternative financing models and lessons learned from recent developer strategies, with a focus on how commercial structures can support project bankability in a challenging financial climate.

Anne Stevenson

Head of Technical, OnPath Energy

Anne has been involved in renewables for nearly 20 years. Previous roles were within the engineering department of a wind turbine manufacturer, and in consultancy where she worked in asset management, technical due diligence, grid, feasibility studies and even as a BREEAM assessor (not her favourite). She is now Head of Technical at OnPath Energy, a role she has held since February 2023. The scope of the technical team is very broad; Anne particularly looks after aviation, Eskdalemuir and turbine related topics.

Daniel Sutherland

EnergyPulse Data Analyst, RenewableUK

Daniel is a Data Analyst on the EnergyPulse team, specialising in the UK onshore wind and battery storage capacity pipelines. With over two years of experience tracking, developing, and interpreting renewable energy project data, he has authored a range of blog posts and reports analysing trends in the onshore wind and battery storage sectors. Daniel is passionate about delivering valuable insights into the progress and future of renewable energy, and about demonstrating the impact data-driven analysis can have across the industry.

Lisa Woolhouse

Head of Energy Transition, SSEN Transmission

Lisa is Head of Energy Transition at SSEN Transmission. She graduated from the LSE and went on to complete a PhD in energy economics. She has extensive experience of energy markets, regulation and network development, including cost benefit analysis, financial and economic evaluation, strategic market advice and policy development. Lisa has worked with regulators, developers, OFTOs and supported SSEN-T through a variety of network developments. Lisa is heading development of SSEN-T’s energy transition strategy.