
Not every renewable project fits neatly into solar, wind, or battery. The energy transition is throwing up an increasingly diverse range of development types: green hydrogen production, commercial EV charging hubs, gas peaker plants, and other grid-support technologies that play a critical role in the wider system. Engena has worked across all of these. Our experience spans the full breadth of renewable and grid-support infrastructure, giving us the depth to advise on projects that don't always have clear planning precedent. Whatever your technology, our role is the same: identify the planning and environmental risks early, and build a strategy to consent them.
Green hydrogen is emerging as a central part of the UK's decarbonisation strategy, particularly for heavy transport, industrial processes, and long-duration storage. Production typically involves using renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, with the hydrogen then compressed, stored, and transported to end users.
Engena has supported the early development of green hydrogen generation from solar power in the south west of England, where site electricity feeds an electrolyser producing hydrogen for offtake by HGV fuelling stations and other industrial users. Projects can also include on-site refuelling of hydrogen HGVs.
Key site considerations for hydrogen projects include:
As EV adoption accelerates, so does demand for high-capacity charging infrastructure. Commercial EV charging hubs, particularly those co-located with renewable generation and driver amenities, are becoming a viable development type in their own right.
Engena has co-ordinated the development and consenting of commercial EV charging stations integrated with solar and wind energy hubs, where on-site generation feeds directly into the charging infrastructure. One of our consented sites hosted the EV Rally in July 2024 and now operates with integrated café facilities alongside the charging points.
Key site considerations for commercial EV charging include:
While the long-term direction is away from fossil fuels, rapid response gas generation continues to play a vital role in stabilising the grid. These projects provide power within minutes of a fault, demand spike, or shortfall in renewable generation, acting as a safety net for the wider system.
Engena has supported the development of multiple rapid response gas engine projects, typically located at strategic points on the grid. The spatial requirements of these sites are tight, and the planning constraints are significant.
Key site considerations for rapid response generation include:
Our full-service planning and environmental offer applies across all these technologies:
The technologies may differ, but the approach doesn't. We bring the same rigour, the same focus on evidence, and the same commitment to getting your project consented.
If you're working on a hydrogen, EV charging, rapid response generation, or other emerging renewable project, we'd be glad to talk. We have the experience to work across unusual or precedent-setting schemes, and the planning expertise to see them through to consent.