Eden Renewables is an international developer of renewables and energy storage with a pipeline of hundreds of MWs of utility, community, and commercial and industrial solar, wind and battery projects in the UK; East Coast USA; and sub-Saharan Africa through our partner GridX Africa.
Our founders have worked in the solar industry since 2010, while the Eden team has been developing solar projects together since 2013, initially as the award-winning UK company Solstice Renewables, going on to set up Eden Renewables in 2017.
Eden has built on its management team’s extensive development experience, pioneering an innovative, unique, sustainable approach to solar development and setting industry-leading standards for:
Biodiversity and ecological enhancement
Continuing agricultural use
Community and educational benefits
Shared or community ownership
Based at offices in Wiltshire and London, Eden’s UK team is working on several utility-scale onshore wind, solar and storage projects; commercial and industrial projects such as solar rooftops, EV charging and solar carports; and standalone battery storage.
The company is committed to an ethical, transparent, environmentally-sustainable supply chain and we are a signatory to the industry’s supply chain statement supporting the Solar Stewardship Initiative that was launched in December 2023.
Eden Renewables is a member of Community Energy England, Regen, Renewable UK and Solar Energy UK.
Harry Lopes,
Chief Executive Officer
Harry Lopes is the Founder and CEO of Eden Renewables. With a background in farming, after working in Finance for seven years, Harry’s belief in the economic and environmental imperative of transitioning from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy led him to move into developing rooftop and large-scale solar projects in early 2011, a passion which remains the same today. He has an M.A. in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh and an ACA with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales (ICAEW). During his time off, he likes to explore the surrounding nature trails with his electric bike.
GIOVANNI MARUCA,
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Giovanni Maruca, partnering with Harry Lopes, serves as Eden’s CDO. As Solstice’s Co-Founder, he led its project development team, having previously gained several years of renewable development experience working for Low Carbon Solar and British Solar Renewables. Before entering the solar industry, he worked in film, managing digital media distribution for Sony Pictures and Paramount Pictures. He also led European business development for a NASDAQ-listed software engineering services company. Giovanni has a B.S. in Biology from Allegheny College and a joint MBA/Master of Health Administration Policy from the University of Pittsburgh.
Ross Wolhuter,
Head of UK development
Ross Wolhuter oversees the technical and construction aspects of our solar farms. With 10 years’ experience in the solar industry across the UK and USA, he specialises in the development and project management of utility scale solar projects with experience of assets from 2-50MW. In his spare time, Ross enjoys sailing and skiing.
Alec Greenwell,
Development Manager
Alec Greenwell has spent the last decade working in energy saving and renewable generation from both an investment and a development perspective. He has an MSc in Business Management and a Postgrad in Rural Land Management. In his spare time, Alec can usually be found at the top of a mountain.
GERRARD MCKILLEN,
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Gerrard McKillen has over 15 years experience in the renewables sector and has been working on the development of large scale solar projects since 2012. He holds a Bsc Hons Renewable Energy from the University of Exeter and is an Associate of Camborne School of Mines. Gerrard also shares his extensive knowledge and experience with MSc students as an Industry guest lecturer. Based in Cornwall, he enjoys exploring the SW coast path with his family and their faithful dog Obi.
OWEN PIKE,
PLANNING MANAGER
Owen Pike has over 15 years’ experience as a planning consultant and planning manager for developers, including Solstice Renewables. He has a Degree in Town and Country Planning and Post Graduate Diploma in Town Planning from Oxford Brookes University. Owen is a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI). He enjoys running and has completed several half marathons.
Josh clarke,
HEAD OF CORPORATE FINANCE
Josh joined Eden from the UK Infrastructure Bank having previously been at InfraRed Capital Partners for over 6 years. Prior to that Josh worked in the JLL corporate finance team and at EDF Energy. During his career he has worked across a wide range of energy and infrastructure asset classes. In his spare time Josh enjoys rugby, skiing, cycling and hiking.
MARK ROBERTS,
group FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
Mark joined Eden full time in 2022 having previously been an external advisor to Eden and its predecessor, Solstice Renewables. Mark brings over 20 years experience in the accounting industry, most recently as a director at the largest independent firm of chartered accountants in the South West of England. A keen sportsman, Mark enjoys escaping his desk at the weekends - preferably to the golf course.
Gabriel Jones,
Financial Controller
Gabriel joined Eden in 2024, bringing over 7 years’ experience working for the largest firm of Chartered Accountants in the South West. As an auditor, he gained valuable knowledge into the internal procedures and external regulation of many businesses across a wide range of industries. Gabriel is part of the finance team helping to develop our internal finance function. Outside work, you can find him in the garage getting his hands dirty in an engine bay. Or, on brighter days, on the golf course.
GEORGE BARRON,
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER/ANALYST
George Barron has a background in Mechanical Engineering, which he studied at the University of Manchester. Realising the need for rapid renewable energy deployment, he specialised in a Sustainable Energy Masters at Imperial College London, achieving distinction in September 2020. George oversees the development of sites from desktop assessments and grid analysis to landowner contracts. On weekends, George can be found cruising around London on his beloved Peugeot racer bike.
REBECCA SYMON,
OFFICE MANAGER/PROJECT COORDINATOR
Rebecca Symon began working in renewables when she joined Eden five years ago. Previously she specialised in logistics in the British Army before pursuing a career in relationship management and communications with Royal Mail and then Sodexo Defence. She has a B.A. in European Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management. She enjoys singing with Rock Choir, volunteering with older members of her local community, and spending time in the countryside with her family and re-homed French Bulldog.
NADIA ASSAD,
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Nadia Assad has a background in Mechanical and Maintenance Engineering and an MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures from Imperial College London. As part of the development team her role includes grid analysis and feasibility studies. She is an energy access enthusiast, avid feminist and nature-lover. She spends her spare time supporting girls in remote communities with STEM experiments and enjoying sunsets on Sierra Leone’s coast.
MAX HENDERSON,
PROJECT manager
Max Henderson has been working in the renewable energy sector since 2020, after being awarded his BEng Honours degree, in Material Science & Engineering from Swansea University. As part of the development team, Max works with landowners, DNOs and local authorities in the early stages of a project’s development. He has a passion for improving biodiversity within and around renewable sites. Max enjoys playing rugby and going to music events.
JAMES CAHALANE,
PROJECT MANAGER
James joined Eden in 2022 after previously being a Paratrooper in the British Army. As part of the development team, James works on identifying opportunities and works with landowners in the early stages of project development. James enjoys travelling, recently returning from a trip to southeast Asia.
OSKAR NIESSEN,
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Oskar has a background in Aeronautical Engineering having completed an Integrated Masters at Loughborough University in 2023. As part of the development team he works to originate projects, which includes grid analysis to find new connections and identifying suitable land. In his free time Oskar can be found flying gliders up and down the UK, cycling, or spending weekends outdoors.
Malcolm Evans,
Electrical infrastructure
A member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, Malcolm Evans has over 45 years’ experience with particular expertise in high voltage process plant and high voltage generation schemes, including solar, wind and energy from waste plants. Most recently he has designed storage battery systems and advised on renewable hydrogen installations. As well as the UK, his work has taken him to the USA, Cuba, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal, Ireland, Austria, Slovenia, Turkey, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, and Spain
DR. GUY PARKER,
WYCHWOOD BIODIVERSITY
Dr. Guy Parker oversees the implementation of the ecological management plans at all the Eden sites and their ongoing monitoring. He is a leader in research in the field of biodiversity management within solar parks and wrote the BRE National Solar Centre’s Biodiversity Guidance for Solar Developments.
Sophy Fearnley-Whittingstall,
PR and Community Engagement
Sophy Fearnley-Whittingstall has over 10 years’ experience in the renewables’ industry. She is passionate about influencing change and empowering people, communities and businesses to make a positive difference to the climate emergency by helping grow renewable energy & infrastructure in the UK, USA & Africa. A keen gardener, she grows her own organic fruit and vegetables at home.
Lorna Lyle,
Earth Energy Education
Lorna has worked in education for over 20 years and in the renewables industry for the last 10. She is the founder of Earth Energy Education, the UK’s leading educational company specialising in renewable energy projects, which she established in close collaboration with Eden Renewables. Lorna previously worked for the Westminster think tank the Centre for Social Justice and the charity Kids Company and is Vice-President of the Country Trust. She has a Masters Degree from the Institute of Education and a History degree from the University of Bristol.
