“Frances brought clarity, calm, and strategic focus to our submissions. She has been invaluable.”
— Michael Baker, Development Project Manager, RWE Renewables
Accelerating Clean Energy Delivery Through Strategic Consents Leadership

To advance the UK’s solar energy ambitions, RWE required a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Byers Gill Solar Farm. With a compressed programme, evolving policy context, and intense examination scrutiny, the project demanded high-level consents expertise capable of de-risking delivery and sustaining strategic momentum throughout.

Context & Circumstances

Byers Gill Solar Farm is a nationally significant project designed to contribute to the UK’s decarbonisation goals by delivering large-scale clean power to the grid. As one of the fastest progressing NSIP solar schemes, the project faced significant challenges in maintaining pace without compromising the quality, coherence, or examinability of the application. RWE needed a partner who could lead through complexity, bridge technical and policy considerations, and instil confidence.

Solution

Infrastructure Matters embedded senior expertise within the core project team to guide and shape the DCO strategy during the intense phase of the Examination. Led by renowned industry expert Frances Fernandes, we translated complexity into clarity, reviewed and refined key deadline submissions. Our input has been crucial in advancing the scheme towards consent within an ambitious three-year timeline.

Results
  • Delivered strategic advice, guiding the project confidently through the Examination phase.
  • Provided deep insight at Hearings, bolstering credibility with the Panel of Examining Inspectors.

Most importantly, we supported the client in their ambition to progress towards Development Consent in record time, setting a new benchmark for NSIP solar delivery in the UK.