Recent conflicting industry news could raise concerns about stalling of the energy industry – but signs of positivity shine through, as Claire Ramsden reflects in her latest article.

Despite reports earlier this year of job cuts and manufacturers scaling down operations in the energy sector, there remains a wealth of opportunities for landowners, which may be realised through the innovation of new technologies, and the requirement for sites for specialised equipment.

Estates Gazette magazine reported recently that there is high demand for long term power storage/battery storage, which is presently unavailable. Increases in the production of green energy are increasing the requirement for longer term storage, as not all energy is necessarily exported to the grid within hours of its creation. The aim of energy security will necessitate the development of new means of storage, and these new technologies will require a ground base.

Some new methods of storage are being developed, and some existing ones refined to work more effectively in the medium to long term storage setting. These include flow batteries, mechanical storage, thermal technologies and low carbon hydrogen. There is also the issue of capacity within the grid itself, but that is a whole other project.

The industry attention and investment is these new storage methods is just one positive sign of the continued development of the green energy industry, and forward progress.

Whilst the industry is in a state of evolution, which will last for some time, it is more important than ever to take appropriate legal advice for any projects that are proposed on your land, either for personal/business use or as part of a nationally strategic infrastructure project.

For help and advice on these and other related issues, please contact a member of the team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors on (01482) 325242 or email enquiry@andrewjackson.co.uk