Daily Debrief · Weekend edition

Dogger Bank Wind Farm and Seaway7 mark completion of all foundations on world’s largest offshore wind farm.

WATCH: Podcast Live! participants answer audience questions as they explore what effective, sustainable partnerships look like in practice Delivering renewable energy projects today requires more than clean technology; it demands collaboration, transparency, and trust. That was the central message from Podcast LIVE!, hosted by BusinessGreen, where industry leaders explored how holistic environmental, social, and governance (ESG) partnerships are transforming the energy sector. As podcast guest Martin Dowd, energy construction director at Equans UK & Ireland, emphasised, "It's everyone getting on the same plan and heading in the same direction for the success of the project." Equans has seen firsthand the power of such partnership. At the Sandon Brook Solar Farm in Essex, the company worked alongside Low Carbon to develop a site capable of generating 56MW of solar power, enough to supply around 18,000 homes. The project demonstrates that ESG collaboration goes beyond good engineering and economics. In fact, in an industry racing toward 2030 net-zero targets, Sandon Brook Solar Farm proves that genuine cooperation from all parties involved can turn solar farms into models of environmental, social, and economic value - with each sustainable project learning from each other to make the next one better. Speaking on the podcast, Harriet Parker, director of ESG and sustainability at Low Carbon, explained how sustainability and engagement were embedded in the Sandon Brook Solar Farm project from the outset. From early consultation with local authorities and residents that helped address concerns around traffic, flooding, and noise before construction began, through to rewilding, pollinator-friendly planting, and sheep grazing beneath the panels. As a result, biodiversity across the site is expected to increase by 80 per cent. This collaboration is set to endure for decades. Parker explained that under new Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation, developers must commit to protecting enhanced ecosystems for at least 30 years. While the panels and equipment will eventually be removed, the biodiversity improvements will remain, leaving the land richer than before. But the podcast discussion also raised questions about the type of land used for such projects and scale. Questions from the audience included issues such as balancing large-scale infrastructure with local impact, and if it would be possible to create smaller farms closer to consumers on brown field sites, instead of using farm sites that could be used for food production. Commenting after the podcast, Dowd explained that this is exactly what some companies do. "Some companies install a smaller sized solar farm and have a private wire connection to their business to contribute to their electricity demand, and any excess can be stored in batteries or exported to the grid," he said. "However, such is the growing need for clean renewable electricity, larger utility scale solar farms are required to help meet the national demand of electricity. To meet our UK targets it would mean using less than one per cent of the land mass in the UK." Crucially, most farmland used for solar can continue supporting agriculture: sheep grazing between rows of panels remains a common practice, demonstrating how energy and farming can coexist sustainably. Both guests agreed that sustainability communication must become more inclusive, offering practical tools and examples that smaller organisations can adopt without heavy bureaucracy or cost. Especially as some members of the audience questioned whether there is a growing reluctance to invest in ESG. In a shifting political climate, Dowd reflected on the broader purpose of ESG: "Some may view it as additional cost they could do without, but there is no doubt the growth of ESG is of upmost importance to investors, developers, EPC contractors & end users. For those who are paying attention to the needs of everyone involved, there is no choice but to engage with ESG and embrace it." As Dowd put it, success depends on everyone "heading in the same direction". And as Sandon Brook Solar Farm proves, that direction is toward a greener, fairer, and more sustainable energy future built better together. This article and podcast were sponsored by Equans UK & Ireland.

Barrow Energy Dock project set to see 14,000 floating solar panels deployed across around a third of the surface water area at Cavendish Dock

We are seeking views on the Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations 2011 to ensure fair access to CO2 pipelines and storage sites.

The Secretary of State has made changes to the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) using his power under section 245(1)(e) of the Energy Act 2023.

E3G thinktank warns retrofit sector could shed 10,000 skilled jobs as small firms struggle to survive Cuts to a scheme for insulation and heatpumps for low-income households will leave homes damp, draughty and unsafe over winter, experts have said. Housing have asked for a one-year extension to the scheme to ensure continuity and prevent small retrofit firms going bust. Companies say funding for solar panels and insulation is already being withdrawn, leaving homes cold and draughty as winter sets in. Continue reading...

French government-owned company to receive funding for Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C Business live – latest updates UK energy bill payers will hand over £2bn a year in subsidies to EDF, the French company building two nuclear power stations, according to government figures. EDF, owned by the French government, will be entitled to £1bn in annual payments as soon as Hinkley Point C, in Somerset, comes on to the grid in 2030. The sum is due under the contracts-for-difference system that guarantees low-carbon energy companies a fixed price for the electricity they generate. Continue reading...

Founding members of Data Centre Coalition include Apatura, Green Scale, Clarke Energy, and Enfinium

Chinese wind turbine manufacturer's new Europe chief and WindEurope’s advocacy director disagree on series of touchy issues at Recharge Wind Power Summit

Developers need revenue certainty that Contracts for Difference provide but there must be consequences for pulling out of them, said regulatory affairs chief at German power giant

Cadeler has expanded its fleet with the delivery of its 10th wind turbine installation vessel.

BlackRock, Brookfield and Apollo among players sensing opportunities in energy sector

Knud Erik Andersen identifies the Nordics, the Baltics, and Australia as key focus areas for the initial deployment of storage solutions.

Battery storage products from prominent international providers Sungrow, Wärtsilä and Chint Power have undergone recent fire safety tests.

Hyundai Motor and Kia expand Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) services, enabling electric vehicles (EVs) to store, supply and share electricity with grids and homes Launch Korea’s first Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) pilot service for customers, supporting Jeju’s renewable-energy goals Expand Europe’s EV energy services by advancing from Smart Charging (V1G) service to bidirectional V2G capabilities, starting with the Netherlands Broaden Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) services ...