We’ve been speaking exclusively to Intelligent Land Investment Group – a Scotland based land investment firm with more than 14 ongoing projects in the renewable energy space totalling more than £1bn. Mark Wilson, Chief Executive of the firm and speaker at our upcoming Scotland Development Conference, has been discuss their exciting plans and the innovative solutions coming into the energy sector…

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Q. Since your foundation in 2004 how do you feel the renewable energy landscape has changed in the UK?

The renewable energy landscape has changed dramatically since 2004. What were once niche and developing technologies, such as onshore wind and solar, now form the backbone for much of the energy generation in the UK. The dynamic has shifted completely with renewable generation being the dominant form, with thermal generation diminishing rapidly.

This change has also heralded in a fundamental shift from a centrally planned and operated system, to a far more dynamic decentralised / distributed system with many small operators participating. This has given many people a stake in the energy transition, whether it be a homeowner with solar panels on their roof or a farmer with a wind turbine.

  1. You’ve achieved planning for over 200MW of battery storage since 2020, what is the transformative potential of these projects?

The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is a very positive one, although it does create certain challenges that need to be addressed. Renewable energy generation is intermittent by nature. We believe the most practical and cost effective solution to addressing this is through energy storage – when there is excessive power being generated it is stored, and when there is insufficient it is released back into the system. Our projects will play their part in this process allowing for a quicker transition to net zero whilst maintaining system stability.

Q. You have 3GW of grid scale battery and pumped storage at the development ready stage, how does Intelligent Land Investments prepared schemes such as these for development?

We do this in a number of ways: by having a dedicated team who have been with the company for many years; by utilising this experience that has been gathered across multiple projects; by working with industry leading companies to compliment our in house team; by understanding what is required to deliver commercially viable projects; and, by a having a risk profile and appetite that allows to get ahead of the game and get to market quickly.

Q. How will your projects contribute to tackling and the climate crisis and providing long-term energy security?

We believe the scale of projects we are bringing forward can make a telling contribution in the fight against climate change. They will help to create a more efficient energy system, providing important balancing services to the system operator and allow the maximum penetration of renewables into the network.

Q. How do you see the future of the UK grid and how is ILI anticipating these changes?

We see a clean, green future. One of zero carbon renewable generation from decentralised, dynamic energy system. One where renewable energy is balanced and stabilised by energy storage, including PSH and batteries.

We hope to make strong contribution to this vision with our projects and are working hard to make that a reality.

Q. What is Intelligent Land Investments most looking forward to about Scotland Development Conference?

To meeting others across the full spectrum of public and private industry in Scotland who are each contributing in their own way to exciting development and infrastructure projects. As we start to exit what has been a difficult and challenging time, the ambitious projects set out at this conference will help to lead the way to a brighter future.

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