29th September 2025
Harnessing the renewable energy push – how can we turn land into power?
introduction
The Government has set ambitious targets for expanding renewable energy through the introduction of Clean Power 2030. The ambitions for a greener and cleaner grid are clear. But, while these goals signal a major shift toward greener energy, turning policy into reality presents significant challenges.
Developers and planners must navigate complex issues, including land availability, grid connectivity, planning restrictions, local environmental concerns and community concerns over large-scale developments.
Balancing the urgency of scaling up renewable infrastructure with the practicalities of land use and regulatory hurdles will be crucial in ensuring the UK’s energy transition is both achievable and sustainable.
Here, Cameron Lillywhite and Gary Morris delve into key considerations and opportunities for turning land into energy.
Finding the perfect land
Land is one of the most valuable resources in Britain and between the Government’s 1.5 million target for housing and the plans for expanding renewable energy, the demand for land has never been higher.
For renewable energy, finding suitable development land is not straightforward. The general assumption is that agricultural land is the best option for this purpose, but finding the perfect site is not a simple matter. The ideal site is land with easy access, close to grid infrastructure, yet is not within too close proximity of a residential area to avoid local community objections.
The reality is that there is no perfect site. Developers will always face a compromise between land rights, planning constraints and grid connectivity. At the outset a piece of land might tick a lot of boxes, but then grid connectivity may not be possible.
the grid landscape
The grid landscape is a complex picture. When selecting land or a site for renewable energy development, grid connectivity potential is a critical factor in ensuring the project’s success. Without a viable connection to the power grid, the site is a no go.
Proximity to existing grid infrastructure is vital for land to be turned into power. This reduces costs and delays associated with building new power lines, making the project more financially and logistically feasible.
The application process complicates matters further, partly due to a significant backlog in applications for new sites to be connected to the grid.
land rights and planning
Land rights and planning add to the complexities of renewable energy development. Developers can often face a myriad of regulations, planning rules and easements to ensure network operators can access the land for installation and maintenance of the network. When it comes to easements, landowners may be reluctant to provide access to their land for energy production due to aesthetics or environmental concerns. In addition, the further away the site is from the point connection, the more cable is needed to roll out which will further impact costs. Planning might also add further delays too, as some land may not have the necessary consents for this type of development. Large scale renewable energy projects can divide opinion in local communities. So, the role of community engagement should not be underestimated.
For developers, it is essential to engage with all stakeholders to expedite land use for energy development, as this relies on so many factors to work together simultaneously to ensure a successful outcome.
The priority for landowners is achieving a fair deal. More experienced landowners with a sound understanding of the planning process and what is needed for grid connectivity make a big impact on the speed and ultimate success of the development.
how can we unlbock development land for renewable energy?
If we want to unlock sites for development, we need to see some change:
- New grid reforms – currently there is a backlog in the processing of new grid applications. Re-organisation of the process should enable essential renewable energy projects with a greater chance of success to be fast tracked, bringing developers closer to meeting Government goals for renewable energy.
- More planners – Improving resourcing within planning departments in Local Authorities will make a positive impact, as more planners are needed to deal with the influx of planning applications.
conclusion
Advancing renewable energy is crucial for a sustainable future, but progress depends on balancing policy with the realities of land use. Streamlining planning processes, increasing resources for planning departments, fast-tracking high-potential projects during the grid application process, and implementing grid reforms can accelerate development. It’s also crucially important to engage communities to build support. By taking practical steps and prioritising sustainable solutions, we can make renewable energy the backbone of future power generation and secure a fair deal for landowner, developer and the community. And we can turn land into power.
