Stephens Scown’s Head of Renewable Energy, Sonya Bedford and Bob Meier, Energy and Sustainability Senior Manager for Francis Clark will be the keynote speakers at the free events taking place at Kingsley Village, Fraddon on Tuesday 8 November and Exeter Racecourse on Thursday 10 November, both between 6.30pm and 9.00pm.
Businesses and individuals from across Devon and Cornwall interested in issues surrounding the opportunities from large-scale solar energy are expected to attend and will get an update on the Government’s Feed in Tariff (FiT) scheme and Renewable Obligation Certificate (ROC) banding.
Delegates will hear about the latest on renewable energy projects across the region, as well as successful solar sites that have been built in Cornwall including the project at Wheal Jane near Truro – the South West’s first large-scale commercial solar farm to be connected to the National Grid.
The speakers will talk about the Mole Valley Farmers solar PV test site as an exemplar project and attendees will hear about small solar parks and get the lowdown on what to look for and what issues to consider, as well as receive tips for success from the experts. There will also be an opportunity for a question and answer session with the panel, informal networking and refreshments.
Sonya Bedford, Head of Renewable Energy at Stephens Scown LLP, said: “It will largely be about learning from what’s happened over the last year to make sure that we’re well prepared going forward. It’s a fast moving sector and with the Government’s proposed cuts to the FiT scheme from 1 April 2012 (and possibly earlier), there is a certain speed at which projects are needed to be taken up. Despite the deadline looming, farmers and landowners should consider carefully all the details of their renewable energy project. It’s about future proofing large-scale solar and other renewable opportunities, to make sure we’re best placed to deal with what’s around the corner next year.”
Bob Meier, Energy and Sustainability Senior Manager at Francis Clark LLP, added: “The changing energy environment is presenting huge challenges and opportunities to clients in a wide range of businesses and this event will enable people with an interest in this sector to find out more. My principal role is to help businesses in Devon and Cornwall respond proactively to these opportunities and capitalise on them.”
Stephens Scown LLP has a dedicated renewable energy team with offices in Exeter, Truro and St Austell and Francis Clark with Winter Rule provides specialist financial advice on energy and sustainability.
Sonya Bedford joined Stephens Scown LLP in 2010 and has expertise in dealing with wind farms, wind turbine acquisition, solar PV (domestic and commercial) and other technologies. She also specialises in the agricultural sector and is a member of the CLA and Agricultural Law Association.
Bob Meier ACA joined Francis Clark in 2010 as an energy and sustainability specialist and has experience advising UK and European clients including power station owners, electricity and gas supply companies, network owners and operators, project development companies, energy technology and renewable enterprises and a number of institutional investors in the sector.
To book a place at the event, contact Jo Force at Stephens Scown LLP on 01392 210700 or email marketing@stephens-scown.co.uk. Visit www.stephens-scown.co.uk or www.francisclark.co.uk for further information.
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