How do you see the balance shifting between small-scale and large-scale biogas projects across the UK and Europe, and what innovations are driving this?
The balance in biogas is shifting. Big plants aren’t going anywhere, but smaller, local projects are on the rise. Add in the fact half the industry is upgrading old sites while the other half builds new, and you’ve got a sector that’s evolving fast. The future isn’t one or the other – it’s both, working innovatively together.
Collaboration is key in renewable infrastructure, how do you build effective partnerships with technology providers, feedstock suppliers and local authorities to ensure project success?
I see biogas projects a bit like fixing up a classic car, you need the right parts (the tech providers), a steady fuel supply (feedstock), and the paperwork in order (local authorities). With the repair and build side, my role is to keep everything tuned so each partner gets the best out of the project. In my opinion that’s how collaborations last and how projects can really deliver.
What are the biggest construction or maintenance challenges you’re encountering in biogas plant delivery today and how is your team innovating to overcome them?
One of my biggest challenges has been learning to step back. I’ve always liked being in control, but the truth is my team are better than me in many areas. Being a second or third cog in the wheel on a project isn’t always easy, yet it’s where the real progress happens. By giving the team space to bring in smarter tools, fresh ideas and new solutions, we’ve turned tough construction and maintenance challenges into real improvements on site. The team are extremely flexible and multi skilled, so a great advantage we offer our clients is we pivot easily to daily challenges, thus saving time and money.
Looking ahead, where do you see the greatest opportunities for growth or consolidation in the UK and European biogas markets, and how is ConstructionCrew positioning itself to lead in that evolution?
From my perspective and with only 4 years’ service in the industry I think of the UK as the ‘ideas lab’ of biogas, progressive and pushing innovation. Spain, on the other hand, feels like a “new frontier” full of potential and energy. With CCL Espana alongside our UK team, we have one foot in an established market and the other in an exciting growth territory. It means we can cover both worlds, fixing, building, experimenting. For me, that’s what makes this industry so fun right now (never thought you could add the word “fun” in a sentence about Biogas!)
Renewable energy growth depends on specialist talent. How can the sector make itself an appealing and viable career option for both seasoned professionals and the next generation?
My favourite question; without doubt none of this happens without good, driven people from all backgrounds and specialities. The appealing nature of this sector to newcomers would and should be the positive environmental impact, we work in a sector that “wants to do the right thing” and “makes a real difference” we should be proud that we work in a sector that turns waste food, crop, manure into an energy source, who wouldn’t be proud of that? For a new person coming into the sector, some days are hands on, other days you’re discovering new technology and smarter ways of working – it’s never boring!