Walk & Talk: Discovering the Significance of Control Room Natural Power’s Newest Endeavor into Renewable Energy at Forrest Estate
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Venue: Natural Power, The Greenhouse, Forrest Estate, St John’s Town of Dalry, Dumfries & Galloway, DG7 3XS Tel: 01644 430008
The Walk & Talk will be hosted by Jeremy Sainsbury OBE, the Director of Natural Power – more about Jeremy, and Natural Power
Natural Power has been nominated for the Rural Business Award in the 2025 Helping it Happen Awards.
Natural Power is a leading consultancy and pioneering name in the renewable energy industry and has been at the forefront of supporting the growth of clean energy projects across the globe for 30 years. Natural Power provides expert advice and specialist services, and supports clients in delivering safe, clean, reliable, and competitive low-carbon projects. Since 1995 Natural Power has worked towards creating a better environment for future generations and provided expert advice for over 7,000 projects to help progress their vision: working to create a world powered by renewable energy.
In 1999 Natural Power was bought by SLE member, Fred Olsen, and moved to Dumfries & Galloway.
The headquarters of Natural Power is located on the beautiful Forrest Estate in Dumfries & Galloway, a very rural location which belies the impact of this worldwide business. Having worked with over 2,000 clients on projects in 68 countries, Natural Power also employs over 500 renewable energy experts across 14 international offices. As renewable projects were starting to grow in number and more projects were connected to the National Grid, safety became an ever-greater concern. The Control Centre is the solution to that problem.
In May 2025 Natural Power officially launched its newly expanded Control Centre, the UK’s largest independent renewable energy control room outside the National Grid and major utilities. The new Control Centre marks a significant milestone in Natural Power’s mission to support the UK’s clean energy transition and is already playing a critical role in delivering the country’s 2030 renewable energy targets. Originally launched in 2008, Natural Power’s Control Centre is now in its third iteration. This multi-million-pound upgrade increases capacity, enhances IT resilience, and expands operational capability across a range of technologies, including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery energy storage.
Programme
10:00-10:15 | Arrival at the Greenhouse. Tea, coffee, and toilets will be available. Initial introductions led by Jeremy Sainsbury, Director of Natural Power |
10:15-10:45 | Tour of the Greenhouse building – built in 1999, it was ahead of its time and is of timber construction with a grass roof and uses a Ground Source Heat Pump system. |
10:45-11:30 | Presentation about Natural Power - For 30 years Natural Power has contributed to the growth of renewables from a fledgling industry into a maturing one of global importance. Not only do renewables provide the cleanest form of energy generation, they are now providing the cheapest. In doing so, renewable energy can no longer be seen as the stuff of ideology. It is a sustainable, self-supporting and vital part of our modern energy mix. Get a better understanding of Scot Gov’s 2030 Renewable Energy Targets - Scotland has a target for renewable energy to supply the equivalent of 50% of the energy for Scotland's heat, transport and electricity consumption by 2030. This is part of a broader ambition to reach net-zero emissions by 2045. |
11:30-12:15 | Tour of the upgraded Control Centre – the UK’s largest independent renewable energy control room. Originally launched in 2008, Natural Power’s Control Centre is now in its third iteration. This multi-million-pound upgrade increases capacity, enhances IT resilience, and expands operational capability across a range of technologies, including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery energy storage. |
12:15-12:30 | Q&A and Close |
This event is free of charge to SLE Members, but booking is essential through the SLE website.
Additional event information:
Format of the event: Participants will mostly be in company boardroom and offices, therefore no special clothing requirements. On your arrival to the Estate, please drive carefully on the narrow private road. At the Estate there is plenty of car parking is available.
What 3 Words: flotation, meaning, hedge – this can be more accurate than the postcode
Booking information: Booking is essential. To secure your place please book online today.