Guiding Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm Through Complexity to Consent
APEM Group, through its specialist consultancy GoBe Consultants, played a pivotal role in securing development consent for the Rampion 2...
The renewable energy sector is evolving rapidly, and the conversations shaping its future happen within influential forums like RenewableUK’s working groups. These groups bring together leading voices from across the industry to tackle challenges, share expertise, and influence policy that drives the UK toward its net-zero goals.
By joining these groups, APEM Group’s experts are not just participating – they’re helping to set the agenda. Their insights on planning, environmental impact, and technical innovation ensure that sustainability and best practice remain central to the sector’s growth. This representation reflects our commitment to collaboration and thought leadership in shaping a cleaner, greener energy future.
This isn’t the first time APEM Group has had a seat at the table; our experts have contributed to RenewableUK working groups during previous years, and we’re delighted to be putting forward another cohort of thought leaders to help shape the future of the UK’s renewable energy sector.
Meet our industry voices:
Matt Rea – Onshore Planning and Environment Group
Matt Rea, Principal Ornithologist at APEM, brings over a decade of consultancy experience and leads the Terrestrial and Intertidal Ornithology team. His career has been deeply rooted in renewable energy, with involvement in more than 60 onshore wind projects across the UK and Ireland, spanning greenfield developments, monitoring programs, and repowering schemes. Matt’s expertise also extends to solar farms, hydro projects, and terrestrial and intertidal elements of offshore wind cable connections.
As a specialist in Collision Risk Modelling, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Matt is highly skilled in managing large-scale survey programs for sensitive onshore sites. He advises on constraints, wind farm design, mitigation strategies, and habitat management, and regularly consults with statutory and non-statutory bodies to ensure compliance and best practice. His role as a technical reviewer for developers and third-party reports underscores his commitment to quality and precision.
Matt’s appointment to the Onshore Planning and Environment Working Group reflects his passion for shaping policy and guidance that supports the growth of renewable energy while safeguarding biodiversity. With deep knowledge of ornithological legislation and planning processes, he offers valuable insights into overcoming challenges that can hinder project approvals. His thought leadership ensures that environmental considerations remain central to the UK’s transition to a net-zero future.
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I’m excited to help shape guidance that accelerates onshore wind development while protecting biodiversity, bringing practical experience to influence real change.
I’m excited to help shape guidance that accelerates onshore wind development while protecting biodiversity, bringing practical experience to influence real change.
– Matt Rea
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Nicola Solly – Ports and Maritime Group
Nicola Solly, Associate Director at GoBe Consultants and a Chartered Environmentalist, brings over 25 years of experience in marine environmental consultancy. With a strong foundation as a marine biologist, Nicola has dedicated her career to understanding and mitigating the environmental impacts of coastal and offshore development.
She leads environmental assessments for a wide range of marine infrastructure projects, including port developments and offshore renewable energy schemes. Nicola’s expertise spans Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA), stakeholder engagement, and navigating the complex consenting process for major projects. Her recent work includes EIAs for several offshore wind farms across the UK for leading developers.
Nicola is passionate about facilitating development in a sustainable way, finding innovative solutions to mitigate and compensate for environmental impacts while achieving project consent. Her ability to balance technical rigor with practical solutions ensures that marine environments are safeguarded as the renewable energy sector expands. Nicola’s leadership and collaborative approach make her a trusted advisor to developers and regulators alike.
Her appointment to the Ports and Maritime Working Group reflects her commitment to shaping best practice for marine infrastructure that supports offshore renewable energy. With deep knowledge of marine ecology and decades of consultancy experience, Nicola offers invaluable insights into overcoming challenges that can delay projects, ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of industry growth.
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Ports and maritime infrastructure are critical to unlocking offshore renewable potential. I’m passionate about shaping best practice that supports sustainable growth while safeguarding marine environments.
Ports and maritime infrastructure are critical to unlocking offshore renewable potential. I’m passionate about shaping best practice that supports sustainable growth while safeguarding marine environments.
– Nicola Solly
’’
Sue Crooks – Onshore Aviation Delivery Group
Sue Crooks, Senior EIA Consultant at APEM, contributes specialist knowledge on aviation safety and compliance, bringing together aviation stakeholders and developers to ensure safe and effective integration of renewable energy projects with aviation requirements. With 20 years of experience as a Royal Air Force Air Traffic Control Officer, she has a deep understanding and appreciation of the complexity and highly regulated nature of aviation operations. Having subsequently spent seven years as an aviation consultant, Sue is dedicated to finding solutions to complex issues around the integration of renewable energy with aviation safety and efficiency.
Sue coordinates inputs EIAs for onshore projects, utilising finely honed communication skills developed over years of stakeholder engagement in varied domestic and international projects. She manages complex projects, identifying paths to achieve mutually agreeable solutions, and is always seeking opportunities for efficiencies to meet challenging deadlines. Sue has provided recommendations to several offshore wind projects on stakeholder management, leading to successful planning application outcomes and supporting planning condition discharge for onshore transmission assets.
Sue’s appointment to the Onshore Aviation Delivery Group reflects her commitment to bringing renewable energy and aviation stakeholders together to shape solutions to the seemingly perennial challenges that face the onshore wind industry in assimilating with radar and airspace assets. With extensive knowledge of aviation legislation and planning processes, Sue offers valuable insights into overcoming challenges that can hinder project approvals and post-consent discharge. Her contributions to the Onshore Aviation Delivery Group will ensure that the needs of the UK’s renewable energy providers will continue to be elevated within aviation and airspace development.
“Finding proportionate, mutually agreeable solutions for the integration of renewable energy with aviation safety is essential for progress. I’m committed to ensuring projects meet compliance standards while supporting the sector’s growth.”
– Sue Crooks
Join the Conversation and Shape the Future
APEM Group is proud to play an active role in RenewableUK’s working groups and we invite industry partners, stakeholders, and innovators to collaborate, share insights, and drive forward solutions that make renewable energy smarter, faster, and more sustainable.
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