History timeline

Downing have been at the forefront of energy development and investment for over a decade

2010
November 2010

First 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.

2010
November 2010

First 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.

2011-2014

40

solar construction asset investments

2015
2015
March 2015

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 had a capacity of almost 8 MW.

2018
A battery
2018
Batterys lined up Many batteries lined up
February 2018

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.

A battery
February 2018

First transmission connected battery development

Acquisition of the development rights for a 50MW transmission connected energy storage project in Southampton, UK. At the time this was one of the largest battery projects in the UK.

2021
June 2021

Development and construction of five ground-mounted solar parks with Northumbrian Water Limited

The commencement of the development and construction of a portfolio of five ground-mounted solar parks providing power directly to water treatment plants owned by Northumbrian Water Limited (“NWL”), a UK regulated water utility.

Solar panels on the grass
2021
A farmhouse on top of lowered concrete
October 2021

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.

2022
January 2022

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.

Farmhouse being worked on
2022
two men working on solar panels
June 2022

Development and construction of 12 ground mounted solar parks with Southern Water

We will invest approximately £12 million over two years to develop and construct these projects, which are designed to generate a total of 8.4 GWh annually. This renewable electricity is provided directly to Southern Water’s water treatment plants.

two men working on solar panels
August 2022

Development and construction of 28 ground mounted solar parks with Yorkshire Water

Downing was selected by Yorkshire Water to develop, design, build and operate a portfolio of 28 solar sites across Yorkshire. The first phase of solar deployments represents an investment of approximately £25 million and will have a total capacity of around 21MW.

August 2022

Construction of a 30MWp 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.

Q4 2022

Construction completion of first Norwegian hydropower project and construction of third project

Our first construction project in Norway (Lauvstad) was completed on time and to budget and the third project in our Norwegian construction programme commenced. This project, Skjeggfoss, is also located in the Drangedal region of southern Norway.

Picture of a landmine
Picture of solar panels lined up alongside each other
December 2022

Construction of a 30MWp Finnish onshore wind project

Construction completed on the last of five ground-mounted solar sites. These projects will contribute significantly to NWL’s net-zero target for 2027, supporting its commitment to reducing emissions and advancing its renewable energy program.

2023
2023

Construction continues across our UK ground mounted and rooftop solar portfolio

Downing has a significant pipeline of solar pv projects in the UK which are currently in development or under construction. The portfolio consists of both ground mount and rooftop solar assets.

2023
Picture of a farmhouse being under construction
H2 2023

Construction of fourth Norwegian hydropower project

Our second construction project in Norway (Kvaevebekken) was completed on time and to budget and the fourth project in our Norwegian construction programme commenced. This project, Haugsvaer, is also located in the Drangedal region of southern Norway.

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