Absolar at UKREiiF 2025: Clean Energy Momentum Builds Across the Built Environment

Last month, the Absolar team joined over 16,000 industry professionals at UKREiiF 2025 in Leeds, a major gathering focused on regeneration, investment, and infrastructure across the UK. It was an energising and insightful few days, offering a valuable pulse check on the future of the built environment, and how clean energy is becoming a core component of that transition.

From public sector leaders to private developers, one message stood out: the net zero agenda is no longer optional. It’s operational.

Clean Energy Conversations Across the UK

We were fortunate to reconnect with existing clients, meet forward-thinking partners, and hear real ambition coming from across the UK, especially from coastal regions along the south. The atmosphere throughout the event was electric - packed sessions, busy pavilions, and exciting conversations around every corner.

Some standout moments for us included:

• Bidwells Pavilion: As one of our fantastic BCorp clients, Bidwells hosted excellent discussions, including a standout "Breakfast with Emma Pinchbeck" session. Emma, from the Climate Change Committee, laid out the practical challenges and systemic changes needed to accelerate decarbonisation in the UK.
• Dorset Pavilion: Showcasing the Talbot Quarter project, this session spotlighted coastal regeneration efforts and the growing role of clean energy infrastructure to support them.
• GB Energy: Their session on combining energy storage, EV technology and biodiversity was a powerful reminder that clean energy systems must be designed holistically to serve entire communities.
• Retrofit in Retail Pane: We enjoyed an insightful discussion on energy efficiency and renewable integration in repurposed retail spaces - a space where solar and smart energy have growing potential.

Key Themes from UKREiiF 2025

A few key themes consistently emerged throughout the event:

Net Zero: From Aspiration to Action

Across sessions, it was clear that sustainability is now deeply embedded into mainstream development plans. From modular housing to digital twins, public and private sector leaders are putting carbon reduction at the centre of new infrastructure and regeneration.

Infrastructure Gaps as Opportunity

Bandwidth challenges during the event were a real-world reminder of the UK’s infrastructure gaps, and the need for resilient, decentralised energy. Local solar generation, battery storage, and smarter grid integration were widely discussed as necessary solutions.

Investment Confidence Returns

With more than 1,700 investors attending, green finance was front and centre. Scalable, bankable clean energy projects are in demand – with ESG-aligned funds actively looking for new opportunities.

Local Authorities Leading the Way

Over 275 councils were represented, many of whom are already progressing delivery plans for rooftop PV on housing, solar carports, school decarbonisation, and other local energy initiatives. Momentum is clearly building, and fast.

Looking Ahead

UKREiiF 2025 confirmed that the future of UK regeneration must be clean, resilient, and smart. With strong engagement from both the public and private sectors, growing investor appetite, and national ambition aligning around net zero – the time for action is now.

If you're a developer, local authority, or sustainability lead exploring clean energy opportunities, we’d love to talk. Absolar is helping turn ambition into delivery – from rooftop solar to portfolio-wide energy insights.

Let’s build the future, together.

📍 Visit us: Engineering Centre, Southampton Science Park, Southampton, SO16 7NP
📞 Phone: 02382 680 106
✉️ Email: info@absolar.co.uk
🌐 Website: www.absolar.co.uk

👉 Or use our AI-powered solar calculator to request a Remote Solar Survey report for your property.

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