We're tackling the climate and biodiversity crises simultaneously.

In 2024/25, SSE Renewables gained consent on one new project which has been designed to achieve a minimum of NNL: Richfield Solar (18MW).

SSE Renewables is already delivering on its targets for its previously consented sites since 2021. We have committed to achieving No Net Loss on the following sites consented pre-2023: Bhlaraidh Ext (84 MW), Littleton (30MW), Salisbury (50MW / 100MWh), Monk Fryston (320MW), and Strathy South (208MW).

All projects have been assessed using SSE Renewables’ publicly available BNG toolkit and will also meet our ambition of delivering biodiversity.

Over 2024/25, we developed a process to integrate climate resilience and BNG throughout the project lifecycle to ensure effective delivery of mandatory BNG in England. The process allows project teams to address climate risks to BNG habitats over the 30-year maintenance period and maximise opportunities for BNG to provide wider resilience benefits. Standardising this process of integrating climate resilience with BNG enables consistency in the quality of BNG design and implementation, efficiencies in the implementation of this process, and continuous learning and improvement, as experience builds in climate resilience and BNG. 

SSE Renewables launched a pilot project promoting upskilling in peatland restoration at its Viking wind farm. Delivered in collaboration with NatureScot, Peatland Action, Shetland Peatland Restoration Services, and contractors RJ McLeod, the three-day training session for local Shetland-based contractors included theoretical and practical demonstrations on peatland management. The work serves as a blueprint for future training initiatives to support habitat management and BNG. 

Over 2024/25, SSE Renewables delivered training on its BNG toolkit to project consultants in collaboration with the consultancy WSP. SSE Renewables also delivered foundational training in Biodiversity and Environmental Management for those seeking entry to the renewables industry as part of a Green Tech Skillnet course in Ireland.

SSE Renewables’ BNG Toolkit successfully quantified nature positive opportunities in hydro operational assets over 2024/25. This includes calculating the uplift from a ‘no lawnmowing’ (‘no mow’) policy in and around hydro power stations. The ‘no mow’ policy resulted in a 503% increase in Biodiversity Units, across an area of approximately 10 hectares, significantly improving the condition of grassland habitats for pollinating species, alongside reductions in carbon emissions and reduced operational costs.

In 2024/25, SSE Renewables developed an approach aimed at streamlining planning requirements on projects by integrating biodiversity and land carbon into a combined toolkit. The land (or biogenic) carbon plug in, is SSE Renewables’ first step towards a holistic natural capital approach. It allows users to assess losses and gains in carbon storage and sequestration from development projects and habitat management works. It safeguards and prioritises carbon sink habitats to avoid impacts to ultimately enhance. By assessing biodiversity and land carbon, balanced decisions for short and longer-term improvements in biodiversity and natural carbon stores can be made.

Over 2024/25, SSE Renewables developed a Geographic Information System (GIS) application to streamline data analysis for BNG assessments. The application allows integration of mapping visualisations and supporting data, enabling users to accurately compare pre and post-development habitat areas for sites. The data outputs are used in SSE Renewables’ BNG toolkit to identify the best options for biodiversity enhancement.

Since 2021, SSE Renewables has been an industry partner in the Nature+Energy project in Ireland, a collaboration between industry and academia to optimise land-use and ecosystem services on wind farms. Funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) through MaREI, along with Wind Energy Ireland and 9 industry partners, the project – concluding this year (2025) – will deliver a sectoral biodiversity plan template and habitat management guidance to ensure biodiversity is accounted for as reliance on wind energy increases to combat climate change.  

In 2024/25, as part of its active engagement in Wind Energy Ireland, SSE Renewables contributed to the trade body’s industry position paper on BNG, outlining the opportunities and challenges involved with incorporating BNG into wind energy developments in Ireland. The paper seeks to consolidate the industry’s position ahead of future consultations.  

SSE Renewables worked closely with the University of Galway over 2024/25, collecting Greenhouse Gas data at its Galway Wind Farm which will help to understand how peatland restoration can contribute to climate change mitigation. Quantifying carbon sequestration for various conditions will assist in characterising Atlantic Blanket Bog. This data collection is key to ensuring carbon credits can be verified and certified in future. The Galway Wind Park habitat management plan forms part of the EU LIFE Multi Peat project alongside projects in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. 

SSE Renewables are positively engaged in the Expert Working Groups established as part of the collaborative design of the Onshore Sector Deal, in which industry, regulators, government and other key stakeholders come together to inform best practice. The purpose  is to inform best practice guidance by providing expert advice and intelligence on matters relating to the impact of onshore wind developments, development of BNG approaches, technological and scientific advances (either for nature directly or new construction techniques). This is to ensure onshore wind development is consistent with the Scottish National Planning Framework, Scottish Government’s climate targets and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.