As part of its sustainability strategy, Harkalm partnered with Prop Sustainable to roll out 40 ultra-rapid EV charging bays across key roadside retail sites.

By providing strategic advice, running a competitive tender, and negotiating commercial lease terms, Prop Sustainable helped Harkalm secure a £3.2M investment through the adoption of EV.

This partnership serves as a clear example that, with the support of a specialist advisory like Prop Sustainable, ESG initiatives can deliver meaningful commercial value across any asset portfolio.

As the UK transitions to a low-carbon energy system, energy flexibility has become crucial for maintaining grid stability and integrating renewable energy. To support this shift, Ofgem has announced an accelerated launch of the Flexibility Market Asset Registration (FMAR) system, now set for 2027 instead of 2028.

FMAR aims to streamline asset registration for flexibility providers, making it easier for businesses, aggregators, and energy storage operators to participate in flexibility markets. By reducing administrative barriers, FMAR will enhance grid efficiency, improve access to flexible tariffs, and support a more resilient electricity system.

Recent research from the RSPB and the University of Cambridge suggests that well-managed solar farms can significantly enhance biodiversity, with some sites hosting three times as many birds as nearby intensively farmed land. Species like Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers, and Linnets—many in decline—are thriving in solar farms with hedgerows, wildflowers, and minimal grazing.

Beyond bird conservation, solar farms also benefit soil health and wider ecosystems, requiring no pesticides, fertilisers, or ploughing, allowing land to regenerate naturally. With 25-30 year operational lifespans, these sites provide a rare opportunity for long-term ecological restoration.

Recognising this potential, the UK’s 2024 biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy now requires solar projects to deliver at least a 10% uplift in biodiversity, with many developers already exceeding this through wildflower meadows, ponds, and orchards.

The UK government is reviewing the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) regime, proposing significant changes to EPCs and MEES enforcement. Key reforms include new EPC metrics, shorter validity periods, and a requirement for EPCs before marketing properties. These updates aim to improve accuracy and compliance but could impose stricter energy efficiency requirements on landlords and property owners.

Prop Sustainable contributes to RICS isurv 'Car Park Valuation Checklist', a defining moment for our company as we continue on our path towards being the UK's leading EV Charging advisory.

The UK’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan marks a major step in advancing renewable energy development, introducing reforms to streamline grid access, accelerate project approvals, and incentivize community support. Key changes include reclassifying large projects as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and allowing earlier funding access through expanded Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions.

However, challenges remain. Smaller projects face inconsistent policies and lengthy approvals, while mechanisms to address local opposition require strengthening. To meet its net-zero goals, the UK must address these gaps and ensure a balanced framework that supports both large-scale and decentralized energy initiatives.

Prop Sustainable has been ranked in the Top 40 of the TechRound100 2024, recognizing its innovative work in Real Estate and Renewable Energy. This accolade highlights the company’s unique approach to aligning sustainability with commercial goals, making renewable energy solutions accessible through its fee-free consultancy model. Prop Sustainable’s inclusion underscores its growing influence in driving meaningful change across the UK and Europe.

Ofgem has proposed a £5-8 billion Advanced Procurement Mechanism (APM) to address grid connection delays that threaten the UK’s renewable energy goals. By enabling transmission owners to pre-purchase critical materials, the APM aims to streamline infrastructure development and reduce wait times for renewable projects, supporting the UK’s 2035 clean energy targets.