Rick Campbell, Director of Director of Development Services
For a change, we elected not to have a stand at the SR Onshore Conference, so our team got to enjoy the event a little more from the shop floor. The conference was excellent with useful insights from formal speakers and informal catch ups, as well as the chance to discuss business opportunities and meet colleagues old and new.
I’d intended to provide reflections on the conference after the first day but unfortunately the increasingly traditional, joint B&P-Gael Energy drinks (as pictured) got in the way.
Five big takeaways
So, my five big takeaways from the overall event are:
1. A project reshuffle is on the cards
My favourite subject at the moment – the fallout of the grid queue reform will impact portfolios everywhere. It’s important to be alive to this and keep options open as the winners emerge.
2. TNUoS cost increases – an unwelcome burden.
The industry broadly welcomed the Government’s rejection of Zonal Pricing, a clear example of industry speaking and Government listening which should be applauded. However, rejection of one system does not mean approval of another. TNUoS has undermined the business case for projects which otherwise would have gone ahead for a generation. Making it worse doesn’t help anyone. More work is needed here.
3. Repowering is the talk of town
We’ve known this was coming for a while, but repowering sites (together with its close sisters: decommissioning and redeployment) were the main topics of conversation at the event. Lots of practical and positive ideas being discussed. As ever, communication and collaboration will be key to delivering this important work.
4. England and Wales are just getting warmed up
The hotly anticipated establishment of development pipeline in England and Wales is well underway. Again, industry-wide challenges are present, not least making sure regulators are familiar with onshore wind challenges, and ensuring developers understand (and are not overly scared by) DCO processes. (As anyone who I’ve already bored on the subject will attest, I’m a big believer that the DCO process is an excellent consent pathway and should not be as off-putting as it appears to be).
5. As an industry, we need to get moving
Political headwinds against renewables will only be changed by one thing – demonstrable investment in jobs and infrastructure. 2025 has been a necessary step change for the industry, but now is the time to get on and start delivering.
All in all, a really successful event. The enthusiasm and keenness to invest was palpable. Lots of opportunities and a sense that things are moving in the right direction.
Want to keep the conversation going? Get in touch for a chat Info@blackhallpowis.com
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At Blackhall and Powis we’re not known to shy away from a challenge, or a bit of fun. It’s also important to us that we give back to our sector when we can so the RSABI charity, who provide valuable practical, financial and emotional support to the agricultural industry across Scotland, is close to our hearts.
We were delighted to take part in this year’s Great Scone Palace challenge held in the grounds of Scone Palace, Perth. Starting with a lovely welcome party held at Perth Racecourse the night before which included a celebrity racetrack run, auction and raffle, before the main event kicked off the next day.
We were among 17 teams entered into the event which consisted of four challenges:
- The Great Bale Obstacle Course – rolling a straw bale 100metres across a field then moving onto a variety of stacked bale heights to jump/clamber over and crawling on all fours beneath a net.
- The Palace Pathfinders Quest – solving riddles, decoding puzzles and following a trail of hidden clues all within the gardens and maze of the palace
- Tractor Pull – basically a tug of war against a tractor, but thankfully the tractor doesn’t pull back.
- Laser Clay Challenge – using laser shotguns to hit the clay as quickly and accurately as possible to build up points.
The challenges encouraged teamwork, determination, thought and agility. The weather changed in the afternoon with some heavy downpours but to all the team’s credit everyone soldiered on, and it gradually eased. Despite being a man short, our team overcame the odds to pull off a victory against some tough competition. It should be noted that we were able to rely on a friendly competitor to fill in for the clay challenge and a willing member of RSABI to help with the tractor pull. Collaboration at its finest!
The day was rounded off by an evening black tie ball within Scone Palace where we enjoyed a meal in the Long Gallery, the longest room in any private Scottish home. The celebrations continued with the team venturing out into Perth city centre until the small hours. Thankfully dancing was not part of the event challenges as we would have definitely finished in last place!
The trophy now sits proudly in our head office in Glasgow, and we’re already looking forward to defending our title next year.
As the UK accelerates its shift toward renewable energy, the role of land referencing has never been more critical. From wind farms and solar arrays to grid infrastructure and battery storage, every energy project begins with one foundational question: who owns the land?
Land referencing provides the answer – with precision, transparency, and legal certainty. It’s the quiet force behind Development Consent Orders (DCOs), Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs), and infrastructure planning. And in the energy sector, where timelines are tight and stakeholder engagement is essential, it’s the difference between momentum and delay.
How Far We’ve Come
Land referencing has evolved dramatically in recent years. What was once a paper-heavy, manually intensive process is now a sophisticated blend of legal insight, stakeholder engagement, and digital mapping. Today’s referencing teams operate at the intersection of GIS, planning law, and data management—delivering real-time insights that shape infrastructure strategy from day one.
Modern referencing doesn’t just identify landowners—it enables early access for surveys, supports risk mitigation, and ensures that stakeholders are consulted with clarity and care. It’s become a strategic function, not just a technical one.
At Blackhall & Powis, we’ve embraced this evolution. Our team has supported over 150 renewable energy projects across the UK, working with leading developers including Ørsted, Vattenfall, Statkraft, SSE, and Scottish Power. From land assembly and stakeholder engagement to mapping and planning support, we offer a one-stop-shop for infrastructure delivery—tailored to the unique demands of the energy transition.
Looking Ahead: SoLR Land With Certainty Conference
We’re proud to sponsor the upcoming SoLR Land With Certainty Conference, taking place on 18th September 2025 in London. Hosted by the Society of Land Referencers (SoLR), this event brings together professionals from across the UK to explore best practices, emerging technologies, and the evolving role of land referencing in national infrastructure.
The programme promises updates on ethical standards and GIS innovation to the future of referencing in energy and transport. We are looking forward to meeting peers, sharing insights, and shape the future of our industry.
Our team is looking forward to attending, learning, and contributing to the conversation. As the energy transition gathers pace, we believe land referencing must be recognised not just as a technical function—but as a strategic enabler of change.
See you in London.
Find out more about our innovative Land Referencing services.