Brodies LLP is co-hosting with the SRPBA and Ernst & Young its second renewables conference in Perth on the 25th March.

'Glen McDougall' is our fictitious estate with all the resources, issues, and potential associated with a large modern estate in the Highlands of Scotland - fishings, sportings, holiday lets, farmland, forestry and open hills. Our panel of experts will consider the practicalities of implementing a renewable energy project for the property. They will also explain key policy and legal changes such as the new Feed-In Tariffs.

This free event will be of interest to landowners, farmers, land managers and developers who are looking to realise the opportunities that renewable energy bring to the rural business environment and want to know the requirements, challenges and pitfalls in developing projects of all sizes.

Date: 25th March 2010

Times:
9.00 am Registration
9.30 am Presentations and Q&A
1.00 pm Lunch
2.00 pm Concludes

The programme:

Scotland and the opportunities for renewable energy
Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, gives an overview of the policy landscape, current trends, and the future of renewables in the rural and wider economies.

Where does the landowner start? - Assessing feasibility and resources
Iain Russell, Partner at CKD Galbraith, discusses how to assess the options for renewable development, in the context of overall estate ownership objectives, and with the benefit of present day availability of support and subsidy.

How should you structure your project to minimise risk and maximise return?
Dane Wilkins, Director of Renewable Energy and Luke Turney, Assistant Director, Ernst & Young, advise on the commercial aspects of the project, and the best business structures to raise equity and debt.

What are the planning considerations? - Overcoming planning challenges
Neil Collar, Head of Planning and Energy at Brodies LLP, explains what the recent planning reform changes mean in practice and the vital issues for consent and development.

What are the tax implications? - Tax reliefs, capital allowances and succession planning.
James Robertson, Tax Partner and James MacDonald, Tax Director at Ernst and Young, provide an A-Z of tax issues arising at all stages of a renewables project.

What is so special about estates? - Tenants, crofters and access issues
David Houldsworth and Robin Priestley, Brodies LLP's Agriculture and Estates team, discuss issues linked with land ownership and diversification, including agricultural tenancies and crofting.

So you want consent? - The planning authority perspective
Graham Esson, The Environment Service, Perth & Kinross Council.

Q&A Session
The sessions will be rounded off with a chance for you to quiz our panel of experts on any renewable energy questions you may have.