Introducing Oxford Energy

Oxford Energy Ltd is an independent developer of utility scale, solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the Netherlands and Italy where it is managing a portfolio of ground mounted projects across various stages of development.

Oxford Energy was founded in 2018 to build on paradigm policy and technology shifts in the global power sector where Solar PV has come of age and is now the world’s leading new generating technology.

The company brings together former General Electric (GE) project development and finance executives who, between them, have originated, structured and managed more than 10,000MW of development and co-development transactions over the last 10 years. These transactions have included wind, solar and gas-fired projects from greenfield right the way through to Ready-To-Build status.

By combining the best practice of large corporate with the agility of an independent developer, the company is able to bring in the best 3rd party expertise and resources and to significantly accelerate and enhance positive development outcomes.

The company is dedicated to working closely and transparently with the communities where its projects are located, to ensuring that there is a positive environmental and social fit and, where possible, enhancing the biodiversity on and around the project site.

Whilst the primary focus is on project development, Oxford Energy also undertakes select project development advisory assignments.

The Team

Rembrandt Niessen CEO & Managing Partner

Rembrandt is a renewable energy pioneer and entrepreneur but equally made his mark in the large corporate environment. He started in wind energy in 1993 when he founded NEDPOWER and saw his first project going into construction in India in 1998. He joined GE Energy in 2003 where, following stints in London, Singapore and the US, he was appointed leader of the Global Project Development team GDSI based in London. With this team he undertook early solar development work in the US and Europe and managed 10GW of wind and gas-fired projects through the development cycle that ultimately progressed to construction across Europe, Asia, North and South America as well as Africa.

Chryssa Syrelli Commercial Director

Chryssa joined Enron Wind in 1998 where she combined responsibilities in construction management and project development. Following the acquisition of Enron Wind by GE in 2002, she joined the GE Energy project development group where she served as project manager eventually assuming responsibility for sell-down transactions and contractual integrity of development agreements. In 2015 she became Vice President in GE Capital’s Energy Financial Services (EFS) Global Markets development group where she specialised in contracting, deal structuring and risk management.

Projects

Land Use

To achieve a strong environmental and social fit, Oxford Energy seeks to develop projects on brownfield sites and on agricultural land deemed to be less productive. By situating projects close to substations and in the proximity of electricity consumption centres, the need for intrusive transmission infrastructure is further reduced.

Environment

Project feasibility, design and permitting involves a detailed analysis of the possible impact that a proposed solar project may have on the natural environment and how any such impact can be mitigated. In addition to solar energy displacing fossil fuel power generation, there is scientific data that suggests that turning monoculture agricultural land into solar projects may have direct benefits on local flora and fauna. For example, having wildflower meadow as ground cover and the absence of pesticides and herbicides can enhance pollinator and insect habitat as well as provide favourable nesting for ground dwelling birds and small mammals. In turn, raised pollinator numbers can help improve pollination of nearby food crops.

Community

Oxford Energy recognises that it is the local community that hosts solar projects and that projects will have proponents as well as possible detractors. To achieve the best fit between the community’s wishes and the project’s feasibility, Oxford Energy will always consult the community as part of the design and permitting process and where possible invite the community to be economic stakeholders in the project.

Landowners & Stakeholders

Landowners

Hosting a solar project provides land owners with the prospect of a long term fixed quarterly revenue stream. Oxford Energy’s development activities continually identify potential project sites, where preferred siting considerations include:

  • South facing
  • Plot sizes of 20-100 Ha, preferably under single ownership
  • Proximity to substation or medium voltage power lines
  • A screened position, located well away from areas of significant natural interest and impediments such as archaeological sites, flood plains, etc

Stakeholders

Throughout their careers, the Oxford Energy management team has worked through partnerships where careful alignment of interests was the key factor to success. The company will continue in this vein and will seek close cooperation and collaboration with all stakeholders, including:

  • Communities
  • Development Partners
  • Nature watch organisations
  • Municipalities
  • Grid Operators
  • Energy Offtakers
  • Equipment Manufacturers
  • EPC Contractors

Advisory

Oxford Energy is advising select clients on origination and commercial structuring of development transactions in the wider power project development sector.

Current and past advisory assignments include;

  • Kazakhstan Wind, now in construction
  • Vietnam Wind, in development
  • Indonesia Wind, in development
  • Chile, gas-fired, in development

Discuss Your Opportunity

For more information please contact us using the details below.

  • + 44 (0) 1865 238 218
  • John Eccles House, Oxford Science Park, Oxford, OX49 5LH
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