As we begin 2025, we look back on a year that delivered significant progress and innovation for BayWa r.e. UK and Ireland alongside notable team and community achievements.
2024 marked a series of major accomplishments for our Projects team. The completion of the 43.2 MWBroken Cross Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire was a standout achievement, securing project financing and a PPA with SmartestEnergy, before a sale to ERG Spa in early 2025.
Another milestone project was the Scurf Dyke Solar Farm, where we installed our first-ever co-located battery storage system, marking an important step in hybrid project innovation. The operation and maintenance works on this project will be delivered by the BayWa r.e. Asset Operations team.
Planning approvals in both the UK and Ireland expanded our pipeline, with projects like the Yanel Solar Farmin Somerset and the Springmount Solar Farmin Tipperary. Coupled with the sale of four solar farms with a combined capacity of 222 MWp to Octopus Energy Generation, these successes highlight our ability to deliver impactful projects while creating value for partners and stakeholders.
Our Operations team continued to strengthen partnerships, highlighted by the signing of a major O&M agreement with CubicoSustainable Investments. This 149 MW solar portfolio is spread across 12 sites in England and Scotland. Additionally, the team onboarded new sites, secured long-term contracts with existing clients, and renewed agreements for critical assets, reflecting their commitment to operational excellence.
Building connections and creating positive impacts in the communities we serve is a part of what we do at BayWa r.e. Throughout 2024, we participated in a whole host of community support events, such as the Highland Gathering at Corriegarth Estate, the Galloway Country Fair, and the International Sheep Dog Championships. They all offered valuable opportunities for our teams to engage with local communities, listen to their perspectives, and discuss the tangible benefits that renewable energy projects will bring to the areas where they live.
Community engagement also took the form of hands-on support. Our Asset Operations team contributed nearly 300 hours to charitable activities, including restoring wildlife areas, organising food bank starter packs, and cleaning up beaches, to name just a few.
BayWa r.e.’s achievements during 2024 would not have been possible without our talented and dedicated team. The Asset Operations team was shortlisted for the Solar & Storage Live Awards, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to the sector. With our Projects legal team being shortlisted for In-House Team of the Year in the Scottish legal Awards and Legal 500 Scotland awards, recognising legal excellence and the teams’ significant contributions to the legal community. We opened a modern new office in Milton Keynes, reflecting our investment in fostering collaboration and innovation, while renovating our Edinburgh office to create a dynamic, inspiring workspace.
We also welcomed Stewart Reid as our new Head of SHEQ, whose leadership will enhance safety, health, environment, and quality across our project development and operations portfolios.
Across our Projects and Asset Operations teams we strengthened our commitment to the renewable energy transition in 2024, achieving new milestones while navigating industry challenges.
In 2025, BayWa r.e. will focus on advancing its hybrid project developments and PV repowering efforts, as well as deepening partnerships and expanding its portfolio. We are committed to advancing and supporting the UK’s renewable energy transition, setting the stage for another transformative year.
“2024 was a year of challenges and triumphs, filled with milestones that have brought us closer to our goal of a greener future. Our team’s resilience, innovation, and dedication continue to drive us forward, and we’re excited to build on this foundation in 2025.”
Christine McGregor, Managing Director, BayWa r.e. UK and Ireland
"Over the course of 2024, there were a handful of challenges for operations that weren’t exclusive to us but ran across the industry in the UK and across Europe. But, aside from the industry-wide challenges that we faced, we signed major new agreements and long-term contracts that only strengthened our Operations Team's market position and partnerships. This year we will continue to capitalise on this momentum - there are some really exciting projects in the pipeline for us. We have a clear vision, mission and strategy, both with our existing partners and, hopefully, new ones, as well as working closely with our project team at BayWa r.e."
Michael McKenzie, Interim MD for Asset Operations