Why the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Will Reshape the Power & Renewables Industry
The Strait of Hormuz crisis highlights how vulnerable the global power and renewables industry remains to oil supply disruption. Around 20–25% of global seaborne oil passes through this narrow shipping route, meaning geopolitical tensions can quickly impact energy markets, logistics costs, and industrial supply chains.Even as electricity generation shifts towards renewables, oil still underpins transport, petrochemicals, and manufacturing processes used to produce solar panels, battery storage systems, transformers, and power electronics. As a result, oil market volatility can increase project costs, extend equipment lead times, and create uncertainty for renewable energy developers worldwide.
April 14, 2026
CMP446 Explained
CMP446 raises the TIA threshold from 1MW to 5MW in England and Wales, streamlining grid connections for sub-5MW distributed generation projects. By removing unnecessary transmission impact assessments, CMP446 reduces delays, lowers costs, and creates faster routes to market for developers. But what does this mean for projects already in the pipeline and how will it affect larger schemes? Here’s what developers need to know.
March 3, 2026
Microgrids, Power-to-X, and Data Centres: Salvaging Value from CP2030 Gate 1 Grid Offers
Receiving a Gate 1 connection offer no longer has to signal the end of a viable energy project. As grid timelines stretch into decades, developers are increasingly turning to behind-the-meter solutions such as Power-to-X, private-wire demand, and data centre co-location to unlock revenue sooner. By rethinking how and where electricity is monetised, Gate 1 projects can reduce risk, improve bankability, and retain strategic optionality while awaiting Gate 2 progression.
January 9, 2026
H&MV Engineering Invests In Blake Clough Consulting
H&MV Engineering has announced its investment in Blake Clough Consulting, a specialist energy consultancy focused on grid connection, power systems analysis, and electrical design. Blake Clough will continue to operate independently within the H&MV Engineering Group, enabling both organisations to deliver more comprehensive, end-to-end power engineering solutions for clients across the energy and data centre sectors. The partnership strengthens global capabilities in supporting the transition to Net Zero.
January 6, 2026
All We Want For Christmas Is To Understand the Power Grid
From the quietest demand days of the year to dramatic voltage challenges and the famous New Year’s “midnight surge,” the festive season produces some of the most unusual electricity patterns on the system. As Britain powers down for Christmas and ramps up for the New Year, renewables, flexibility, and smart network management take centre stage. In this festive deep dive, we share curious tales of winter demand, green Christmas miracles, and what they reveal about the future of a decarbonised grid.
December 17, 2025
AC Voltage Variation Studies
As the UK transitions to net zero, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a crucial role in stabilising the grid. Before connecting, each project must prove it can safely handle voltage disturbances — that’s where an AC Voltage Variation Study comes in. Using advanced EMT simulations, Blake Clough Consulting assesses how plants respond to short-term over-voltages and ensures compliance with Grid Code limits. Our studies give network operators confidence that systems remain stable, secure, and compliant under real-world conditions.
November 7, 2025
Power Systems Studies For an Evolving Grid
As renewable energy generation increases, power networks are becoming more complex and less stable. Power Systems Studies play a vital role in de-risking renewable projects from feasibility through to energisation. At Blake Clough Consulting, our experts use advanced tools such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory and PSCAD to analyse load flow, fault levels, harmonics, and stability. The result? Clear, compliant, and reliable connection strategies that ensure your project meets grid codes and operates safely within design limits.
November 7, 2025
The Role of Active Network Management (ANM) in Enabling a Decentralised, Carbon-Neutral Grid
Active Network Management (ANM) is central to building a decentralised, carbon-neutral grid, helping the system adapt to rising demand and renewable integration. By monitoring and optimising distributed assets in real time, ANM ensures stability and flexibility, paving the way for a resilient net-zero energy future.
August 21, 2025
Power Systems for Data Centres: Planning, Performance and Grid Integration
Data centres have become one of the fastest-growing and most power-hungry infrastructure types in the modern energy system. Fuelled by the expansion of cloud services, artificial intelligence, and hyperscale data platforms, their development is surging across the UK and Europe. Find out more.
August 13, 2025
Quarter 2 2025 Newsletter
Catch up with us and see what has been happening in the Second quarter of 2025!
July 24, 2025