Regulatory Documents

Regulatory Documents
Gender Pay
Tax Strategy
BPRN
UK&I Asset Management Policy

Regulatory Documents

Statement on Preservation of Amenity in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Electricity Act 1989

Introduction

A number of companies within the RES Group hold an electricity generation licence and have a duty under Schedule 9 of The Electricity Act 1989 to have regard to the preservation of amenity. The statement which follows explains how we will carry out the duties under the Order. This requires the relevant licence holder to take account of the effects the proposals would have on the natural beauty of the countryside, on any flora, fauna, buildings or objects of historical interest and sites and structures of archaeological interest. It is also required to take steps to mitigate the effects on amenity.

Statutory Requirements

The Electricity Act 1989 (as amended) places obligations on a licence holder or a person authorised by exemption to generate electricity to consider the preservation of amenity and fisheries (as applicable) under Schedule 9.

Environmental Assessment

An environmental assessment will be carried out in accordance with relevant legislation prior to developing any proposal for any underground or overhead line designed and installed by RES for RES projects.

Seek to minimise the impact of infrastructure

We will seek to minimise the effects of infrastructure on areas valued for their amenity. Where works are likely to have an adverse effect on amenity, we will carry out our activities in such a way as to reduce the impact of these activities to the practical minimum.

Audits and planning condition compliance

We will carry out health, safety and environmental audits in accordance with our company standard, and will continue to comply with planning conditions during the life time of the project.

Training and awareness

We will promote environmental awareness amongst staff through appropriate training and dissemination of information. We will also make contractors aware of the relevant parts of this statement.

Review

We intend to review our Schedule 9 statement every five years or following major change to legislation or our business. Where appropriate we will consult with relevant stakeholders during the review process.

Gender Pay

At RES we need a diverse workforce where everyone is rewarded fairly for what they do and the contribution they make to deliver our vision. We are fully supportive of the UK Government’s requirement for companies with over 250 employees to publish annual returns on their gender pay gap.

Gender Pay Gap Report 2022

For our previous Gender Pay Gap reports please visit the government website: https://www.gov.uk/find-gender-pay-gap-data

Tax Strategy

This document outlines the policy and approach taken by Renewable Energy Systems Holdings Limited and its group of companies (the “RES Group”) in conducting its tax affairs and managing its tax risk. This document has been approved by the group’s Supervisory Board during August 2023 as being the group tax strategy. It will be reviewed periodically, with any amendments being approved by the Board.

Our business

The RES Group is an established family owned business that has operated in the renewable energy sector for over 40 years, specialising in the development, construction, asset management and operation of our utility scale renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, energy storage and transmission. During this time, the RES Group has developed an excellent reputation for the highest standards of quality and remains committed to fulfilling its responsibilities to the communities and environments in which it operates.

The ownership structure has provided a long period of corporate stability and has permitted the group to focus on generating profits through its core activities and responsible business practices, rather than a short-term view and single-minded focus on profit maximisation.

Teamwork, co-operation and mutual respect are at the heart of our business culture. The group has a pervasive sense of pride and a strong sense of being honourable and doing the right thing.

These factors have helped to shape the Group’s approach to corporate governance and risk management, which are then ingrained in the group’s tax policy and approach to managing tax risk.

Group tax policy

RES Group operates globally where the group undertakes construction activities such as development, construction and asset management through local entities. Wherever it operates, RES Group undertakes to fully comply with all the relevant laws and regulations of the territory.

The Group’s tax risk strategy is consistent with the group’s strategy towards corporate governance and risk management, and is focused around five key areas:

• Integrity in compliance and reporting
• Responsible business practices
• Investing in our people and developing capabilities
• Controlling and managing risks
• Maintaining our reputation.

Our approach to managing the affairs of the group is consistent with HMRC’s Framework of Co-operative Compliance and is in line with the OECD guidelines for multinational companies on Responsible Business Conduct Matters.

UK Taxation

The RES Group remains committed to conducting its tax affairs and managing its tax risk in a responsible manner, encapsulated by the following:

• Ensuring consistency with Group strategy.
• Monitoring key risks through periodic tax compliance meetings attended by those responsible for the different tax areas.
• Timely and full compliance with all reporting requirements, including the filing of all tax returns by their statutory deadlines.
• Investing in our people and developing their capabilities by providing guidance on tax related matters and encouraging/supporting them in technical and professional development.
• To interpret the relevant laws in a legal way and to structuring transactions on a bone fide basis using commercial rationale and reflecting economic consequences, as opposed to artificial transactions where the main purpose was to obtain a tax advantage.
• Obtaining external advice where necessary to support the position taken in our tax submissions and ensure compliance.

Approach to risk and attitude towards tax planning

The RES group has a strong belief that it should pay the amounts of tax that fall legally due in the UK and any other territory in which it operates. Transactions are structured on the basis of commercial and business rationale and not on an artificial basis or with the purpose of creating an abusive tax result.

Where reliefs and incentives are available that offer legitimate tax efficiencies, the group will look to make use of these and to promote value for its stakeholders.

There can be instances where alternative approaches are permitted, or ambiguities can lead to varying interpretations, and ultimately to different tax outcomes. As the RES group is committed to acting with integrity in its compliance and reporting, management would use its judgement to determine the appropriate option, with consideration to the intended policy objectives of the legislating government.

Approach towards its dealings with HMRC

In all of its dealing with HMRC, the RES group remains committed to:

• Operating within a framework of openness, trust and transparency.
• Maintaining our collaborative and professional relationship.
• Conducting all communications in a courteous manner that upholds our mutual respect and follows agreed upon procedures.
• Timely sharing of information with HMRC in relation to our decision making, business activities, results, key developments and tax planning.

BPRN

As an importer and hence producer of industrial batteries under the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, we Renewable Energy Systems (Northern Ireland) Limited produce Lithium Ion (NMC) batteries. We are obliged to take back free of charge, waste industrial batteries of the same type and chemistry supplied to an end user for treatment and recycling. We are required to do this in any calendar year we place new industrial batteries on the market.

If any of our customers or in certain cases other end users, require us to take back Industrial batteries, they should contact us on 01923 299 200. We will agree the necessary arrangements for the return, proper treatment and recycling of the waste industrial batteries.

UK&I Asset Management Policy

RES provides a wide range of asset management services to clients that require ownership and responsible management of the operation and maintenance of physical assets. This policy builds on our organisation goals seeking to ensure our assets are managed in a manner that maximises benefits, reduces risk and provides satisfactory levels of service to customers in a safe and sustainable manner. Read the full policy here.