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About Downing Renewable Developments
Proven renewable energy solutions across solar PV, battery energy storage and onshore wind assets
Our projects.JPG)
About Downing Renewable Developments
Developing the energy transition
Downing Renewable Developments was formed by Downing to develop and construct a pipeline of solar PV, battery energy storage and onshore wind assets across the UK and Nordics. They work closely with Downing’s renewable energy and infrastructure investment and in-house asset management teams.
Renewable energy and associated infrastructure are critical to the transition to a low carbon economy and for the government as they move towards Net Zero carbon emission deadlines.
Renewable energy and associated infrastructure are critical to the transition to a low carbon economy and for the government as they move towards Net Zero carbon emission deadlines.
c. £920m
assets under management in the renewables space managed by Downing.*
c. 9.8 GW
development pipeline of solar, battery and wind assets across the UK, Sweden and Finland.*
845 GWh
of renewable energy produced annually by assets owned by Downing.*
3
countries in which Downing Renewable Developments operates.*
*as at June 2025
About Downing
Delivering value across the infrastructure lifecycle
Downing is a responsible investment manager formed in London in 1986. Since then, we have continued to invest in innovative companies and manage assets that positively impact society - whether that’s caring for the elderly, improving healthcare, building homes or producing clean energy.
Timeline
Key highlights of activity in the renewable energy sector
2010
November
First UK wind construction asset investment
A capital investment into a business developing small scale wind farms in the UK with over 100 pipeline sites. We subsequently made further capital investments to fund the construction of these wind farms.
2010
November
First UK solar construction asset investment
A significant investment to fund construction of a large rooftop solar project which qualified under the 'Feed-in-Tariff' regime. Our capital funded the cost of constructing and operating the project and the occupiers of the property received free electricity generated by the solar panels.
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2013
December
First hydropower investment
We expanded into a new renewable technology with our first investment into hydropower, diversifying our portfolio across technology and geography.
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2014
July
40 solar construction asset investments to date
After a year of investing in renewable energy, Downing built their solar portfolio up to 40 solar assets across the UK.
2015
March
Seven Scottish hydro construction asset investments to date
From December 2013 onwards, we funded the development and construction of seven run-of-river hydropower projects in the northern and western parts of Scotland. In total the projects ha a capacity of almost 8 MV.
2018
February
First battery development investment
Acquisition of the development rights for a 50 V transmission connected energy storage project in Southampton, UK. At the time this was one of the largest battery projects in the UK.
2018
February
First solar construction asset investment
This innovative project was the first large scale battery to be directly connected to the National Grid's transmission network. It is envisaged that in the future the grid connection for the project can be further utilised for a private wire network that would support low carbon transport.
2019
May
Established an asset management team
In 2019 we established our in-house asset management team to oversee our renewable energy portfolio assets.
2019
July
Emirates Stadium BESS investment
We invested into a BESS at Emirates Stadium.
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2021
January
Construction of first UK transmission BESS
We invested into the construction of our first UK transmission BESS project.
2021
June
Development and construction of six solar PV projects appointed by Northumbrian Water Limited
The commencement of the development and constructionof a portfolio of six ground-mounted solar parks providing power directly to water treatment plants owned by Northumbrian Water Limited ("NWL"), a UK regulated water utility.
2021
July
Established in-house development team "Downing Renewable Developments"
The team has the aim of developing an exclusive pipeline of renewable energy projects for Downing-managed energy funds.
2021
October
Construction of first Norwegian hydropower plant
The funding of our first Norwegian hydropower construction project, Lauvstad, located in the Drangedal region in Southern Norway. This run-of-river small hydropower plant is forecast to produce around 5.6 GWh of renewable energy.
2021
December
Downing Renewable Developments pipeline reaches 2GW
The Downing Renewable Developments team has a pipeline of 2GW to construct across the renewable energy space.
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2022
January
Construction of second Norwegian hydropower plant
The funding of our second Norwegian hydropower construction project, Kvaevebekken, located in the Kviteseid region in southern Norway. This run-of-river small hydropower plant is forecast to produce around 5.4 GWh of renewable energy.
2022
June
Development and construction of 12 ground mounted solar parks with Southern Water
Like with Northumbrian Water, we entered into an agreement with Southern Water to develop 12 ground mounted solar parks.
2022
August
Construction of a 30 MWp Finnish onshore wind project
Downing's first investment in Finland, this wind farm is located near Soini in the region of Southern Ostrobothnia and reached construction completion in August 2022. It produces enough electricity to power the equivalent of c. 37,000 UK homes a year.
2022
August
Development and construction of 28 solar PV projects appointed by Yorkshire Water
We continued to expand our workings with different UK water utility companies, helping support their transition to carbon neutrality.
2022
December
Construction completion of third Norwegian hydropower project
The third project in our Norwegian construction programme commenced. This project, Skjeggoss, is also located in the Drangedal region of Southern Norway. At the same time, our first construction project in Norway (Lauvstad) was completed on time and to budget.
2023
March
Downing Renewable Developments pipeline reaches 4.5 GW
Downing Renewable Developments continues to grow its construction pipeline, reaching new levels.
2023
June
Southern Water appoints Downing to deliver 12 solar PV projects
Downing continues to expand its construction pipeline with UK water utility services.
2023
November
Downing Renewable Developments Sweden is launched
Downing Renewable Developments expands operations into Sweden.
2023
December
Construction of fourth Norwegian hydropower project
The fourth project in our Norwegian construction programme commenced. The project, Haugsvaer, is located in the Drangedal region of Southern Norway. At the same time, our second construction project in Norway (Kvaevebekken) was completed on time and to budget.
2024
February
Meridian Solar project is launched
It is the largest solar project in development in the UK at this time.
2024
March
Planning consent for 49.9 MW solar farm in Norfolk achieved
Meerdyke solar farm is given planning consent.
2024
April
Dedicated Downing Renewable Developments NSIP Team established
The team, led by David Vernon, gives increased focus on our pipeline of large solar projects determined through the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.
2024
May
Downing Renewable Developments Finland is launched
Downing Renewable Developments continues to expand its operations in the Nordics into a new country.
Local responsibility
Delivering renewable energy that benefits communities and the environment
At Downing Renewable Developments, we look to support local communities around our projects, providing renewable energy that positively impacts the local community and the environment. We engage the community in a variety of ways to ensure our projects meet the needs of our communities, stakeholders, landowners and investors, tailoring each project to its unique location.
Community support
Supporting the communities around our renewable energy assets is important to us. We offer a tailored community benefit package with every project, providing the neighbourhood with access to solar panels, EV charging ports and local developments, such as community parks or upgrades to local facilities. We also provide jobs through construction, helping to stimulate the local economy.
Biodiversity protection
At every site we look to significantly improve the biodiversity of the area beyond the mandatory 10%. This includes planting of wildflower meadow natural grasslands as well as planting hedgerows and trees which naturally screen our site.
Project assessment
Throughout our project development, we engage key stakeholders in the local community to understand their views and incorporate feedback into our designs. This includes multiple rounds of consultation with landowners, community leaders, such as council members, and those living close to our site.
Tony Gannon
Head of Downing Renewable Developments
David Vernon
Head of NSIP Projects
Ameet Juttla
Head of Town & Country Planning Projects
Derek Wilson
Project Support Lead (UK & Nordics)
Shane Bermingham
Head of Delivery
Larry Irwin
Head of Land
Chris Coates
Origination & Engineering Lead
Taina Hyppola
Head of Downing Renewable Developments Finland
Torran McMillan
Senior Project Manager
Matthew Bellward
Senior Project Manager
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Copyright ©2026, Downing LLP.
DRD is a trading name of Downing Renewables Developments LLP (a private limited liability partnership with registration number OC439748). DRD is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, (“FCA”). As such, clients will not be afforded the protections available under the rules of the FCA and will not be eligible for compensation under the rules of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (“FSCS”).
DRD is a trading name of Downing Renewables Developments LLP (a private limited liability partnership with registration number OC439748). DRD is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, (“FCA”). As such, clients will not be afforded the protections available under the rules of the FCA and will not be eligible for compensation under the rules of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (“FSCS”).