Planning Conference 2026 Speakers

Greg Clarke

Head of Corporate Affairs, SSEN Transmission

Greg is SSEN Transmission’s Head of Corporate Affairs, responsible for managing Public Affairs and Policy, External Communications and Brand for SSEN Transmission.

Greg joined SSE in 2005, starting his career in the call centre for SSE’s Retail business, before joining Corporate Affairs in 2010 where he has held a variety of roles including Scottish Public Affairs Manager for the SSE Group and Head of External Relations for SSE’s Distribution and Transmission networks.

Euan Hutchison

Development Director (UK), Fred. Olsen Renewables

Euan Hutchison is the UK Development Director at Fred. Olsen Renewables, where he leads the development of onshore and offshore renewable energy projects across the UK. With over 28 years of experience in the Scottish planning system, Euan brings deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and delivering large-scale energy infrastructure.

His career spans both public and private sectors, including roles at Dumfries and Galloway Council, Natural Power, and Locogen, giving him a broad and balanced perspective on planning and development. Over the past 13 years, Euan has successfully consented over 1GW of onshore renewable generation in the UK and Ireland.

At Fred. Olsen Renewables, Euan is driving forward innovative projects like the Crystal Rig Solar development, which integrates wind, solar, and battery storage to enhance energy reliability and support Scotland’s net-zero ambitions.

Euan is also a long-standing member of the Scottish Renewables Planning Group, contributing to national policy reviews and advocating for sustainable development practices.

Melanie MacRae

Deputy Director Clean Power 2030 Unit, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

I’m Deputy Director in Mission Control at DESNZ, leading delivery of the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan – our roadmap to a clean power system by 2030. That means driving deployment of renewables like wind and solar, boosting energy storage, consumer-led flexibility and upgrading the grid. I work across DESNZ and other departments to remove barriers and keep progress on track.

I bring over 18 years in the energy sector, covering policy, projects and programmes. Before my DESNZ role, I led Scotland’s draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, shaped Scottish Governments wholesale market reform work, and played a key role in the delivery of the Scottish Governments Heat in Buildings Strategy and £1.8bn Low Carbon Heat programme.

I’ve also worked on community energy schemes, microgrid research and international collaborations, including Community Energy Malawi. I hold a BSc in Medical Microbiology, an MSc in Environmental Protection and Management from the University of Edinburgh and a PG in Renewables from the University of East London.

Carolyn Wilson

Onshore Head of Consents & Environment UK & Ireland, SSE Renewables

Carolyn has over 33 years' experience as chartered town planner having worked in all sections of the public and private sectors across the UK with particular focus on telecommunications and renewable energy in the private sector. For that last 6 years she has worked for SSE Renewables and is currently the Head of Consents & Environment for their Onshore Wind Solar and Battery Directorate covering both the UK and Ireland.