At Aurora, our strength lies not only in the service that we deliver, but in the people who make it possible. That’s why we’re delighted to introduce Alex Lane, our new Head of Legal, whose journey working in property law to the energy transition is as inspiring as it is impactful.
With an impressive career spanning private practice, renewable energy development, and corporate leadership, Alex brings a unique perspective to Aurora’s mission of supporting the UK meet its net zero targets through fast, flexible and straightforward grid connections. Here, he shares his story, what drew him to Aurora, and his views on the future of independent distribution.
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Q: Welcome to the team Alex! Can you tell us about your career to date?
A: “My career began at the international law firm, CMS, where I was able to hone my skills across diverse assets including London offices, infrastructure for renewables, shopping centres, and out of town business parks. I quickly recognised that I had a growing passion for renewable energy, which soon shaped my future.
I would say it was a career-defining moment when working on the UK’s first solar Development Consent Order (DCO) project, which at the time was also one of the country’s largest co-located solar and battery schemes (373 MW solar, 150 MW battery). As a result of my work on this project, Hive Energy offered me the chance to join as their first in-house General Counsel.
From there, I supported renewable developments across Europe and Latin America, managed a venture capital arm investing in circular economy start-ups, and oversaw landmark deals, which included the sale of Cleve Hill Solar Park to Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners. I also helped manage Hive Energy’s 50% interest in Ethical Power an ECP and ICP with a strong reputation in the UK.
With the CP30 changes coming to the UK and the new labour government being voted into power I decided it was time to move into a new UK focused role and therefore joined NatPower UK.
During my time at NatPower, which is a company focused on large scale BESS projects in the UK, I lead the closing of a up to £60m development facility for the business which was a very unique transaction.
Recognising the challenges grid reforms pose to renewables developers, and with an exciting opportunity presented to me, I decided to transition into a slightly different sector, joining Aurora earlier this year.”
Q: What was it about Aurora which made it an offer you couldn’t refuse?
A: “For me, it presented the perfect opportunity to combine my background with my passion. With such a strong property and land rights foundation, stepping into a business where land rights are fundamental just made sense. In addition, I support Aurora’s mission to accelerate the energy transition, and so it felt like the natural next step for me.
“As Head of Legal, I oversee all legal matters across Aurora, from land rights and corporate governance, to intellectual property and compliance. I also manage relationships with external legal partners, ensuring Aurora maintains the agility and rigour needed to deliver critical infrastructure projects.”
Q: Can you tell us about any standout moments in your career?
A: “Throughout my career, I relished the chance to work on milestone projects, here are a few I was fortunate enough to work on:
• Supporting some of the UK’s earliest BESS projects at CMS
• Helping bring the Cleve Hill Solar Park from concept to energisation
• Closing a first-of-its-kind £60m financing deal for 10 GW of BESS assets at NatPower
Beyond the transactions, I get excited about the tangible difference energy projects make. As a lawyer, you can sometimes feel like you’re just mitigating risk. But in this industry, you can look at a bare piece of land and know that your work helped turn it into something that directly tackles climate change. That’s a great feeling.”
Q: In your opinion, why do IDNOs play an important role in the UK’s energy landscape?
A: “IDNOs bring competition, flexibility, and pace. They help ensure that projects aren’t held back by bottlenecks in grid connection; something that is critical if the UK is to deliver on its net zero ambitions. Looking ahead, I believe the next evolution is expanding IDNOs into ITOs (independent transmission operators), driving competition and resilience at the transmission level too.”
Q: What is on the horizon for Aurora do you think?
A: “Aurora’s fresh approach is what sets us apart: a willingness to do things differently, an investment in strong land rights capabilities, and embracing technology.
“The Aurora team are excellent at tackling challenges creatively and ensuring connections happen quickly, reliably, and sustainably. That’s what attracted me to Aurora, and that’s what makes being part of this team so exciting.”
Alex’s journey – from property law to pioneering clean energy projects – reflects not just a career, but a commitment to creating lasting impact. At Aurora, we’re thrilled to have him leading our legal function as we continue to drive the UK’s energy transition forward.
