Stuart McAleese

Environment Specialist Renewable Energy Development Professional Expert Witness McAleese & Associates (UK) Ltd

Contact Details

15 Nan Walker Wynd

Kinross

Perth & Kinross

UK

KY13 8FF

Tel: (UK) 07768989375

Email: [email protected]

EXPERT WITNESS

Profession

Ecologist specializing in vegetation survey and assessment;

Ecologist specializing in terrestrial European Protected Species with particular emphasis on upland habitats;

Ecologist with experience in Ecological Impact Assessment;

Environmental Impact Assessment – process, management, findings, impact assessments, application within projects;

Environmental Impact Assessment disciplines – project management, ecological impact assessment, social impact assessment, climate change impact assessment, cumulative effects assessment;

Renewable energy project development – development progress, feasibility, project management, project finance, regulatory compliance;

Expert Witness Credentials File 1 | Page

Expert: Mr Stuart McAleese

I commenced work as an ecologist whilst studying geography at the University of Glasgow. I undertook a range of habitat surveys for residential and energy developers. Although predominantly JNCC Phase 1 methodology surveys, I also undertook several National Vegetation Classification (NVC) methodology surveys based around requirements for land management. After graduating in 2000, I worked for myself completing many vegetation surveys as well as survey for otter, water vole and badger.

Aspiring to move into managing Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) I studied for an MSc in Environmental Management at the University of Stirling. Whilst there, I continued to provide ecological survey services to a range of residential, commercial and energy clients.

On graduating in 2003, I accepted a position at Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) plc as an Environment Project Manager responsible for managing EIA across all generation projects in the company. During this time, I played a significant role in projects involving onshore wind, offshore wind, flue gas desulphurization (FGD), carbon capture and storage (CCS), biomass, conventional gas and overhead power lines. I was also involved in feasibility studies and economic modelling for deep well geothermal, subterranean gas storage, coal bed methane and clean coal technology.

I was also involved in two public inquiries – Drumderg Wind Farm and Achany Wind Farm. At each inquiry, I reviewed documents and precognitions, wrote briefing material to support the legal team, answered relevant environment questions and prepared expert witnesses from a technical perspective to give evidence.

I left SSE to take up a position as a Technical Director (EIA) at RPS Planning Ltd where I led the Scottish EIA team during the 2008 recession. I moved the team into new areas such as offshore wind, grid feasibility and consenting works and gas pipelines.

I then went to RWE where I led the onshore development team based in Perth. I was involved in the Rowantree Wind Farm inquiry.

On completion of my MBA (Global Energy), I took the position of Head of UK for Element Power. I managed the UK part of the business and my first task was the Tullymurdoch Wind Farm public inquiry and later in the Judicial Review of the project.

Since leaving Element Power, I have been involved I a range of EIA’s for residential and commercial properties as well as providing expert witness services in respect of a deep well geothermal dispute in Kenya.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Geography. University of Glasgow. 2000;

MSc Environmental Management. University of Stirling. 2003;

MBA (Distinction) Global Energy. Warwick Business School. 2013;

Expert Witness Credentials File 2 | Page

Relevant Memberships

Institution of Environmental Science: Full Member;

International Association for Impact Assessment: Member;

United Kingdom Environmental Law Association: Member;

Industry Experience

Dispute

 1995: Hotel / Residential Development, Clyde Valley. Ecology input to EIA, Expert Witness services at Inquiry, oral evidence;  2006: Drumderg Wind Farm Public Inquiry: member of management team for Inquiry, collation and audit of all documents, preparation of expert witnesses, providing written evidence at Inquiry, SSE;  2006: Achany Wind Farm Public Inquiry: member of management team for Inquiry, collation and audit of all documents, preparation of expert witnesses, providing written evidence at Inquiry, SSE;  2012: Rowantree Wind Farm Public Inquiry: management of Inquiry, collation and audit of all documents, preparation of expert witnesses, providing oral and written evidence at Inquiry, RWE Innogy;  2013: Tullymurdoch Wind Farm Public Inquiry, member of management team for Inquiry, collation and audit of all documents, preparation of expert witnesses, Element Power;  2016: Tullymurdoch Wind Farm Judicial Review: management of Review for Element Power, review of documents, working with legal team during JR process, review of Expert reports and documentation, Element Power;  2017: Suswa Geothermal Development Project, Rift Valley, Kenya. Provision of development services and EIA review, Charles River Associates / Government of Kenya;

Ecology (selected)

 1992: Residential site in Blantyre, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, Barret Homes Ltd;  1992: Residential site in Coatbridge, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, Cala Homes Ltd;  1993: Residential site in Motherwell, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd;  1993: River Habitat Survey for planning application for new bridge and associated infrastructure, Uddingston, MLS Engineering;  1993: Otter and Water Vole monitoring during construction of access road to new residential site, Perth, Persimmon Homes Ltd;  1994: Residential site in Hamilton, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd;  1994: Residential site near Inverness, Phase 1 survey and report, Tulloch Homes Ltd;  1994: Hotel and leisure development, Clyde Valley, vegetation survey and otter survey, ecological impact assessment, EIA input, Headway Development Ltd;  1995: Residential development, Phase 1 survey and report, Headway Development Ltd;

Expert Witness Credentials File 3 | Page

 1995: Residential site in Dumfries, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd;  1996: Commercial development, Glasgow, Phase 1 survey, bat presence, River Habitat Survey, JHS Development;  1996: Commercial and industrial development, Airdrie, Phase 1 survey and report, DDT Property;  1996: Residential development, Uddingston, vegetation survey and ecological input to Masterplan, ecological assessment, MTS Developments Ltd;  Proposed  1996: Proposed onshore wind farm site, Highlands, Phase 1 survey, otter survey, water vole survey and River Habitat Survey, Scottish Power;  1997: Residential site in Hamilton, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd;  1997: Residential site in Hamilton, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd;  1998: Proposed onshore wind farm site, Highlands, Phase 1 survey, otter survey, water vole survey and River Habitat Survey, SSE;  1998: Proposed onshore wind farm site, Dumfries and Galloway, Phase 1 survey, otter survey, water vole survey and River Habitat Survey, RES Ltd;  1998: Proposed onshore wind farm site, Highlands, Phase 1 survey, otter survey, water vole survey and River Habitat Survey, Falk Renewables;  1999: Proposed onshore wind farm site, Perthshire, Phase 1 survey, otter survey, water vole survey and River Habitat Survey, SSE;  1999: Residential site in Hamilton, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd;  1999: Cairngorms National Park, NVC Survey and statistical model build of areas which are most likely to support natural Scots Pine regeneration above existing high altitude tree line, University of Glasgow, Scottish Natural Heritage;  2000: Glen Doe Hydro Development: River Habitat Survey and report, Otter survey and report, Water Vole survey and report, SSE;  2000: Hadyard Hill Wind Farm: otter survey and mitigation plan, SSE and DP Energy;  2001: Artfield Fell Wind Farm: water vole survey and mitigation plan, SSE and DP Energy;  2002: Residential site in Hamilton, Phase 1 survey, water vole and otter survey, report and assessment, MTS Developments Ltd;

Projects (selected)

 2001: Holdness Land Ltd: Environmental risks review of land and property portfolio;  2001: Highland Specialty Seafoods Ltd: ISO14001 EMS development and implementation;  2002: Grahams Dairy, Bridge of Allan: ISO14001 EMS development and implementation;  2002: Tyre Recycling Plant Demonstrator, environmental and planning risk assessment, EIA screening and scoping report, EMS assessment, MTS Waste Development Ltd;  2002: Caithness Glass Ltd, Perth: ISO14001 EMS development and implementation;  2003: Joseph Mitchell (Letham) Pollution Prevention and Control Licence Application, Ecodyn;  2003: Grampian Country Chickens Processing Plant Pollution Prevention and Control Licence Application, Ecodyn;

Expert Witness Credentials File 4 | Page

 2003: Butilaar Abattoir Pollution Prevention and Control Licence Application, Ecodyn;  2005: Deep well geothermal feasibility in Central Scotland, SSE;  2006: Carbon Capture and Storage Demonstrator, Peterhead Power Station – environmental and planning input, SSE;  2007: Gas Storage facility, Suffolk, feasibility and environmental / planning constraints study;  2007: Lerwick Power Station non-compliant emissions investigation, SSE;  2007: SSE acquisition of Airtricity, portfolio due dilligence on global portfolio;  2008: Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm Scottish Territorial Waters Bid to Crown Estates, RWE / Seaenergy Renewables;  2008: Fife Ness Offshore Wind Farm Scottish Territorial Waters Bid to Crown Estates, RWE / Seaenergy Renewables;  2008: Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm Scottish Territorial Waters Bid to Crown Estates, SSE Renewables / Seaenergy Renewables;

Environmental Impact Assessment (selected)

 2000: Business park and offices, Lanarkshire, Headway Development;  2003: Mixed residential and commercial complex, Clyde Valley, EIA and ecology, Headway Development;  2005: Fairburn onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, SSE;  2005: Durran Mains onshore wind farm EIA management, SSE:  2005: Glen Tarken onshore wind farm EIA management, SSE;  2005: Beatrice Offshore Wind Demonstrator Project, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, SSE & Talisman Energy;  2006: Strathy North onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, SSE;  2006: Achany onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, SSE;  2006: Fairburn onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, SSE;  2006: Waterhead Moor onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, SSE;  2006: Harrows Law onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, SSE;  2007: Viking Wind Farm (Shetland) onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, SSE;  2007: Strathy South onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, SSE;  2007: Pairc onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, SSE;  2008: Ballindalloch onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, RWE Innogy UK;  2008: Larkhall mixed used development – school, supermarket and residential, EIA and planning, CBRE;  2010: Rowantree onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, RWE Innogy UK;  2010: Ardchonnell onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, RWE Innogy UK;  2012: Ashmark Hill onshore wind farm Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, RWE Innogy UK;

Expert Witness Credentials File 5 | Page

 2013: Twentyshilling Hill Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) management, Element Power;  2018: Gavieside PPP Application, large scale Masterplan led development, Springfield Homes;  2019 (ongoing): Hatton Mains Village, Dalmahoy, Edinburgh, EIA for a new village development on outskirts of Edinburgh, Inverdunning Ltd;  2019 (ongoing): Gavieside Phase 1 detailed planning application Environmental Addendum on detailed design, Springfield Homes Ltd;

Renewable Energy Development

 2005: Spurness onshore wind farm, conditions discharge and environmental monitoring in construction, SSE;  2005: Hadyard Hill onshore wind farm, conditions discharge and environmental monitoring in construction, SSE;  2006: Artfield Fell onshore wind farm, conditions discharge and environmental monitoring in construction, SSE;  2007: Gordonbush onshore wind farm, Integrated Environmental Management Plan, SSE;  2008: Drumderg onshore wind farm, conditions discharge and environmental monitoring in construction, SSE;  2010: Onshore wind farm site finding and opportunity prospecting, RWE Innogy;

REGIONAL DETAILS

I accept instructions within the United Kingdom;

LANGUAGE

I am only fluent in English;

EXPERT WITNESS WORK

I accept instruction for:

Single Expert;

Joint Expert;

Party Appointed Expert for the Claimant;

Party Appointed Expert for the Defendant;

Expert for the Prosecution;

Expert for the Defense;

Judicial Review;

Expert Witness Credentials File 6 | Page

Curriculum Vitae

Stuart McAleese MBA, MSc, MIoD

15 Nan Walker Wynd, Kinross, Perth & Kinross, KY13 8FF Tel: 01577 861479 Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0776 898 9375 Linkedin Profile: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/stuartmcaleese

SUMMARY: A senior manager and Board member possessing an MBA with a sustained record of achievement in developing and consenting energy assets in the UK. An experienced environmental professional with a wide range of technical experience in energy, infrastructure and power distribution. A business leader with a proven record in business turnaround, strategy development, performance management, commercial negotiation and complex project management. A determined, commercially aware professional assisting professional service firms in the dynamic renewable energy sector.

AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 Project management over 15 years on a range of complex and challenging projects including onshore wind farms, offshore wind farms, hydro schemes, energy from waste plants, carbon capture and storage projects, solar parks, recycling centers, conventional thermal power plants, geothermal plants, overhead power lines, roads, bridges, pipelines and island grid inter-connectors;  Establishment of new business units, management and development of these units and positive integration with an existing wider business;  Stakeholder engagement across local, regional and national spheres;  Environmental and Project Development Due Diligence experience in both projects and businesses from buyer and vendor perspectives;  Progression of projects from site identification to Financial Close securing Board approvals and subsequent external project funding;  Regular Board presentations and investor relations;  Strong business change and transformation experience with process establishment, process integration across multiple business areas, review of resources and establishment of new business practices;  Wind Turbine Supply, Balance of Plant, Civils Contracts, Electricals Contract and Independent Connections Provider contract negotiation;  Involvement with and giving evidence at Public Inquiry, Judicial Review and international dispute actions with positive outcomes;  Lead manager on the acquisition of a number of independent renewable energy businesses and projects as well as JV establishment;  Detailed project feasibility and constraints work with recommendation to proceed or not;

Expert Witness Credentials File 7 | Page

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

 MBA Global Energy (Distinction) Warwick Business School 2010 – 2013 Energy industry specific MBA studying management, accounts, finance, economics, capital investments, alternative energy, operations management, policy and regulation, energy trading and organisational behaviour. Dissertation examined how renewable energy companys can manage uncertainty in complex projects (Winner of WBS Best Dissertation 2013 Prize).

 MSc Environmental Management University of Stirling 2003 – 2004 Subjects studied include Environmental Systems; Economics; Business Strategy and the Environment; Policy and Planning; GIS; Survey Methods; River Management and Statistics.

 BSc (Hons) Geography University of Glasgow 1996 – 2000  Subjects studied include Environmental Systems; Economics; Business Strategy and the Environment; Policy and Planning; GIS; Survey Methods; River Management and Statistics.

SUMMARY OF EMPLOYMENT Managing Partner McAleese & Associates (UK) Ltd 2016 – present Founder of a renewable energy and environmental consultancy focusing on assisting energy company’s in resolving key development and project challenges.

 Renewable energy project feasibility, development and management and taking projects to Financial Close;  Advisory to Board of a Chinese investor around investment in UK offshore wind in AR2;  Buyer side and seller side Technical Due Diligence;  Expert witness services in disputes, litigation and arbitration;  Full management of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Social Impact Assessments (SIA), Environmental Due Diligence and resolving issues on stalled projects;

Head of Wind Power (Scotland) Element Power 2014 – 2016 Hired to establish, develop and lead the Element Power business in Scotland.

 Expanded the team from one person to eight people across various disciplines including office management, land agency, development manager, civil engineer, grid engineer and project director;  Establishment of the Edinburgh office with responsibility for operational integration with the Head Office in London;  Developing the portfolio of sites throughout Scotland from a total of 45MW in development to a total of 260MW in development, 45MW consented and 35MW financially closed;  Full P&L accountability for the UK business with a value in excess of £5M;  Working closely and actively with the commercial team in London to secure project funding of £30M;  Interaction with a range of local, regional and national stakeholders and regulators resulting in the reduction of consenting time in projects from 48 months to 15 months;

Principal Renewables Developer (Scotland) RWE Innogy 2008 – 2013 Hired to manage a team of developers and grow the company’s project pipeline in Scotland.

 Development team grown from 3 managers to 6 managers in the first 3 months of employment;  Managing a development pipeline of circa 20 sites from ranging from 15MW to 75MW;  Took lead on site acquisition with 12 sites totaling 560MW progressed into the development pipeline;  Responsibility for managing a total development budget up to £1.5M;  Selection and procurement of specialist contractors ranging in number from 45 to 130 at any one time;  Managing the Public Inquiry process for two sites each requiring close interaction with legal and scientific advisors for sites totaling 110MW and a PI budget of £1M;

Expert Witness Credentials File 8 | Page

Technical Director (Environment) RPS Group PLC 2006 - 2008 Hired as a client facing Director to ensure quality standards were achieved whilst growing revenues and accessing new sectors.

 Won STW bid for SeaEnergy / RWE for Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm and SeaEnergy / SSE Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm bids;  Member of the UK Senior Management Team and regular invitee to UK Board meetings;  Resolution of issues and an historical legacy of challenges associated with ongoing contracts;  Drive increase in scientists and environmental experts to resolve client challenges in a robust and science driven manner;  Generation of revenues in excess of £1.5M per year;  Maintained team size of 65 despite recession and challenging economic downturn in 2008;

Project Manager Scottish and Southern Energy plc 2001 – 2006 Hired to develop renewable energy projects through the consenting process and into pre-construction.

 Environment and Consent manager within SSE for the Beatrice Offshore Demonstrator Project with Talisman Energy;  Project manager for a range of well-known sites within the SSE portfolio which resulted in excess of 200MW consented,  Management of the Achany Public Inquiry resulting in a consent being granted;  SSE manager for the Viking Energy project on Shetland and sitting on the management board for the project;  Significant island development experience including Viking on Shetland and Pairc on Lewis;  Responsible for delivering integrated working practices and procedures between finance and project development;

Independent Environmental Consultant 1996 – 2001

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 Full driving license;

Expert Witness Credentials File 9 | Page