Renewables Boost for Businesses

With more than a third of UK businesses generating at least some of their own energy, it is clear that the ambition for companies to provide their own green power continues to grow. Whilst some renewable projects fall under Permitted Development, many commercial projects require planning support to ensure compliance with regulations.

September saw a variety of energy projects all receive consent in Scotland, England and Wales and we've highlighted a few of the projects and what the permission means to the owners.

Biomass

Ofgem compliance regulations mean that commerical biomass boilers (those over 45kW thermal) are required to show their planning permission as part of an audit. Those without permission have their RHI payments placed on hold until planning is consented.

Cogeo's team gained 3 retrospective planning consents for boilers, supported by our environmental assessments, for landowners in Dumfries & Galloway, Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire. Two of the clients had been on hold with RHI payments suspended for 6 and 12 months respectively and the third was looking at a loss of nearly £1.2m in RHI income had the boilers not received permission.

Ground Source Heat Pump

Much like biomass boilers, Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)  can require permission, particularly when located in new structures and containers. Cogeo's planning consent means our Client can pre-accredit the GSHP securing the RHI tariff at the current rate and avoiding any degredations. 

Solar

Continuing our recent success with Welsh Water, another 2 commercial-scale solar PV projects gained planning consent this month. Both sites will use more than 85% of the electricity generated onsite, saving upwards of £30,000 per year in electricity. Cogeo provided the Planning Statement, technical drawings and elevation drawings for the sites. Our use of the available area has allowed room for future system growth without the requirement of further permission, future-proofing the potential growth of the businesses and additional electricity consumption.