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27 OCU Group Annual report and financial statements 2026
Operational review continued United Kingdom market review | Energy Transformation
Market conditions The demand environment remains positive. Variable renewable generation, including wind and solar, is expected to provide between 77% and 82% of UK electricity generation by 2030. The Clean Power 2030 offshore wind target range is 43-50 GW, with 29 GW for onshore, and 27 GW for battery energy storage systems. Connecting the additional assets is expected to require approximately 80 network and enabling infrastructure projects. “RJ McLeod's progress within OCU has come from preserving what clients value – local knowledge, practical engineering and accountable leadership – while gaining access to a much wider capability base. The Viking wind farm further demonstrated our ability to deliver at scale in demanding terrain.”
The composition of storage demand is also changing. Long-duration energy storage systems of four hours or more are projected to represent around 20% of operational battery capacity by 2031 and approximately 95% of new battery energy capacity deployed in that year. This supports demand for larger and more complex storage infrastructure, but it also reinforces the need for discipline. Grid availability, planning, equipment lead times, connection dates and client funding will determine which projects progress and when. OCU’s opportunity is therefore shaped by market growth and by its ability to select and de-risk individual contracts. Looking ahead The Energy Transformation priorities will deepen positions in battery storage, onshore wind, grid connections and data centre power; and build further transmission and high-voltage direct current credentials at the non-regulated interface. HDD will remain a differentiator for interconnector and offshore wind cable landfalls, river and road crossings and long cable routes. RJ McLeod will continue to lead specialist engineering in Scotland while supporting integrated projects across the wider territory. Emerging areas such as heat networks and long-duration storage will be developed through evidence and client demand, not assumed ahead of the market.
Case study | UK | Approaching completion Pencloe Wind Farm East Ayrshire, Scotland | Energy Transformation | Client: Invenergy
Robert van Beek Managing Director, RJ McLeod
RJ McLeod was appointed principal contractor for the balance of plant at the 18-turbine Pencloe Wind Farm in East Ayrshire. The scope includes turbine foundations, crane hardstandings, on-site roads, cable infrastructure, off-site road works, a control building and associated civil engineering works. Careful planning enabled the project to manage protected habitats while reusing peat and using site-won materials to support construction. The project demonstrates OCU's capability to deliver complex renewable energy infrastructure in challenging environments, combining large-scale civil engineering with environmental stewardship.
Wind turbines 18
On-site roads 25 km
Installed cables 81 km+
Peat reinstated 265,000 m²
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