Last Updated on April 4, 2024 by Admin
Renewable energy has increased in prevalence across the UK in recent years. According to the National Grid, as of August 2023, it accounted for around 35% of the total energy produced over the past year.
While this is certainly a movement in the right direction, there is still a lot of work to be done.
It’s true that the renewable energy sector can be a tough one in which to work, with red tape quick to tie up and hamper plenty of projects – but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Planning and feasibility analysis
To get any project off the ground, the plans need to be accurate and watertight. Should any issues with the approved plans become apparent at a later date, significant delays or even cancellation could be on the cards.
Factors you’ll want to consider when selecting a site include:
- Any constraints on the site that could prevent the land from being used for renewable energy production
- The ecology of the local area and any conservation designations that may be in place
- How close it is to residential areas, air traffic and a connection to the National Grid
- Accessibility of the site for large/heavy vehicles that will deliver components
You can submit a request to the local planning authority when you’ve found a suitable site.
Integrated risk management
Even a minor oversight could bring a project to a halt, which could in turn send costs through the roof. Thorough qualitative and quantitative risk analyses will need to be carried out to avoid this.
You can then put in place procedures that enable you to respond rapidly to any eventuality, minimizing the damage and keeping the build moving forward.
Everything will need to be monitored closely to ensure the appropriate process is followed when required. Checking the specifics of your renewable energy insurance can help inform your risk management strategies, as you can see what is covered and what isn’t.
Sustainable practices
Renewable energy is all about sustainability, so it makes sense for your construction project to have that at its heart too.
You will be able to decrease emissions in certain areas if you focus on your carbon footprint from the outset. If you have high emissions during construction, the benefits of the renewable energy project will take longer to accrue.
Using a range of eco-friendly materials is a great way to keep your carbon footprint under control. It’s counterintuitive to use materials that have been created in a way that damages the environment.
Wherever possible, make sure to reuse or recycle any waste. See if you can partner with a firm that deals with waste responsibly rather than sending it to scrap.
