About us

Dahu Energy is a UK-based renewable energy developer focused on delivering community-scale energy assets that support a resilient, decentralised power system. We specialise in the origination and development of small-scale battery storage and renewable projects tailored to local network and demand needs.

Our team brings hands-on experience across planning, grid, and community engagement, enabling projects to progress efficiently from concept through delivery. We also revitalise and repurpose existing or underutilised sites, upgrading legacy infrastructure to extend asset life and maximise local energy value.

Our Team

  • Nick Sutton

    CO-FOUNDER

    Nick has extensive experience originating, developing, and commercialising UK renewable energy assets. He has been involved in the development of over 300 MW of solar PV, 200 MW of wind, and 200 MW of battery energy storage, with a strong focus on land strategy, planning, and commercial structuring. Previously in senior roles at Abbey Group, Nick brings a site-led development approach alongside deep knowledge of consenting and bankability.

  • Rory Compton

    CO-FOUNDER

    Rory brings over six years of experience developing and investing in UK renewable energy infrastructure, with a focus on battery energy storage, solar PV, and onshore wind. He has been involved across more than 200 MW of assets at various stages of the lifecycle, spanning greenfield origination, pre-construction delivery, and buy-side M&A. His background covers land, grid, planning, and commercial work-streams, translating development and transaction risk into disciplined capital allocation decisions.

  • Carl Sutton

    CO-FOUNDER

    Carl has over two decades of experience in financing and delivering renewable energy and real-asset projects across the UK. He has been involved in the delivery of more than 300 MW of solar PV, 200 MW of onshore wind, and 200 MW of battery energy storage, with particular expertise in capital structuring, project finance, and funding strategy. Formerly a Managing Director at Abbey Group, he has worked closely with lenders, equity investors, and advisors to progress assets from development through construction and into operation.

  • Robert Palmer

    PROJECT DIRECTOR

    Robert has over 20 years of experience delivering large-scale renewable energy, commercial, and high-value real estate projects.  He is a specialist in origination, land assembly, planning and consents, grid strategy, commercial structuring, and full development lifecycle management. He combines deep technical expertise with strong commercial acumen and an investor-focused approach.  

  • David Caldwell

    PROJECT MANAGER

    David has over 20 years’ experience delivering complex commercial, infrastructure, and development-led projects across the UK. He has led projects from early feasibility through planning and delivery, with particular strength in site assembly, development strategy, planning risk, and project governance. His background combines deep technical surveying expertise with a pragmatic, commercially focused approach across the full development lifecycle.

  • Emma Bettles

    HEAD OF LEGAL

    Emma is a highly experienced solicitor with a strong track record working both in private practice and as an in-house Head of Legal. She specialises in renewable energy and has advised on a wide range of projects across the sector, from early-stage development through to investment sales. Her experience includes acting on the sale of large wind turbine portfolio sale to a major Pension Fund, as well as numerous solar and battery energy storage (BESS) transactions. Emma brings deep expertise in property and finance law, enabling her to support complex, multi-disciplinary deals.

  • Dahu Energy develops community-scale, distribution-connected energy assets designed to deliver high system value from a small physical footprint. Our strategy focuses on sub-5 MW onshore wind and battery storage projects that are sized around existing infrastructure and local demand, rather than maximising land take. This approach enables efficient use of land, faster delivery, and repeatable deployment across multiple sites.

  • Distribution networks are where many of the UK’s most immediate constraints and opportunities sit. By developing projects at 11 kV, 6.6 kV, and adjacent low-voltage levels, we can support local networks directly without relying on major transmission reinforcement. This results in infrastructure that is better aligned with local needs, avoids unnecessary land use, and integrates more naturally into existing communities and landscapes.

  • We prioritise existing and previously developed sites, including legacy wind assets, constrained grid connections, substations, and industrial land. By building on established infrastructure and designing proportionate schemes, we reduce visual impact, environmental disruption, and planning complexity. This materially lowers development risk while improving the likelihood of timely consent and delivery.

  • Our projects are designed to be compact, discreet, and locally beneficial, supplying power close to where it is used and supporting local network resilience. In addition to minimising land use and visual impact, we seek to establish site-specific community benefit or fuel-poverty contribution funds linked to each development. These are intended to support local households and initiatives most exposed to energy costs, ensuring that value created by new infrastructure is shared locally and proportionately.

  • We work in partnership with landowners to deliver low-impact energy infrastructure that preserves the primary use and long-term value of their land. Our projects typically require limited space, fit within existing operational areas, and avoid land-hungry development. This provides predictable, long-term income while minimising disruption and planning risk.

Frequently Asked Questions