Renewable energy

Sectors » Renewable energy

Delivering specialist expertise to the renewable energy industry

Onshore and offshore wind farms, solar farms and wave and tidal solutions all require ecological impact assessments. Thomson Ecology has been at the forefront of developing guidance and best practice and we have advised on over 2.5GW of renewable energy production projects. We can work with you on any scale project to effectively manage all aspects of ecology and biodiversity.

Continuously enhancing your environmental reputation is fundamental to improving your ability to win tenders for new projects and maintaining a strong brand in your sector. Biodiversity consulting can help you to realise value from every aspect of your investment in ecology and biodiversity through input to, for example, corporate biodiversity strategy and plans, staff training and sustainability reporting.

Ecological mitigation programmes are designed to offset the effects of development on wildlife and habitats. We can manage the entire ecological mitigation programme through the construction phase of your development. This may involve supervision of works, actual works, using our contracting and design team for habitat creation, and any required protected species translocation.

Writing the ecological chapter of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is one of our core services for onshore and offshore wind farm and other energy projects. Our project management of survey and reporting ensures your application is made promptly and effectively. When following our advice our clients have always achieved planning permission and to date we are 100% successful in obtaining protected species licences.

Your development may require a long-term commitment to maintaining biodiversity. Our specialists work with you throughout the lifecycle of the development to identify and deliver all your regulatory duties. We can undertake habitat maintenance, species monitoring and any additional specified requirements. Our data management systems will facilitate programming and reporting, which can also be leveraged as an aspect of sustainability reporting.

Following an initial ecological assessment of potential sites and/or routes, as the first step in the Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) process, we can advise on site selection. When carrying out more detailed ecological and arboricultural surveys we can advise on design issues and biodiversity offsetting to reduce the cost and risk of ecological impacts. We are specialists in all ecosystems and conduct marine, freshwater and terrestrial surveys.

Projects

Companies and organisations we work with

An excellent experience - Thomson provided exactly the service we required in a very cost effective and timely manner.

Project Manager, Building Contractor

Thomson’s involvement as part of the delivery team was key to producing an end product that both looked great but that also met with the design criteria, ensuring the scheme will continue to perform into the future.

John Sullivan, Senior Asset Manager, Eskmuir Group

One of Redrow’s placemaking principles is the creation of new or enhancement of existing wildlife habitats. We have worked closely with Thomson on a number of initiatives to ensure that the local wildlife has a suitable environment during and post construction.

Leigh Johnson, Senior Development Manager at Redrow Homes (Eastern)

The project was managed professionally, with the required updates performed clearly, concisely and on time. The field work was delivered to a high standard, with surveyors communicating and presenting themselves professionally – important as they were also representing our organisation; the quality of the fieldwork was first-rate.

Kieron J. Doick, Acting Science Group Leader, Forest Research

"This was ABC Electrification’s first experience of working with Thomson and I have found them extremely professional and collaborative in their support in delivering this complex and challenging programme of works.”

Jane Jukes, Environmental Manager for ABC Electrification

I was very pleased with the service that Thomson provided. The surveys and associated reports were delivered professionally and on time.

Richard D Smith - Environmental Consultant, Vinci Construction UK Ltd