The Technical Advisory role is normally undertaken on behalf of funders to provide an overall assessment of the technical suitability of the proposed mix of technologies to be deployed, ensure process guarantees offer sufficient protection, contract structure is appropriate, review of CAPEX and OPEX and to ensure that the project is being constructed in accordance with the funders understanding. Uisdean Fraser, Managing Director at FEP, has decades of experience in the low carbon technical engineering space for both project developers and project funders and can bring this unique perspective to the role.

FEP can offer technical due diligence to either funders or project developers on technologies being offered by vendors to make sure that it is fit for purpose and will deliver the performance proposed by the vendor. This is particularly important where alternative technologies are being offered to deliver against a client technical specification.

Where new or emerging technologies are being proposed we can undertake the due diligence on the proposed technology to assess claimed performance and to review any trial output data to assess its suitability. We have been at the leading edge of new process technologies for over 25 years and have been responsible for a number of the first deployment of particular technologies in new applications over the past years.

Complex projects can consist of multiple technologies which need to work together to deliver a successful outcome. We can provide the technical overview of a project for funders to ensure that the right mix of technologies is being proposed and that they will operate together to deliver the required performance. Having been responsible for the delivery of many complex technical engineering projects in the low carbon space over the past 35 years, Uisdean has the experience to advise and guide on proposed technologies and how they will interlink.

It is becoming common for projects to be delivered under multiple, interlinked contracts. Getting the overall contract structure correct to ensure collateral warranties and process guarantees are in place to offer suitable protection to both funders and project developers is highly important and Uisdean can offer over 25 years’ experience in advising on contract structure and the interlinkages between them.

The structure for the actual client-side delivery of the project is of key importance to ensure that clarity in who is responsible for delivery of what within a project. Unclear lines of communication bring confusion to a project resulting in delays and most likely cost overruns. Uisdean has been responsible for the execution of many complex projects e.g., Creed Park first AD plant in the UK to operate on source separated organic waste, which required not only funding to be secured Scottish Government, but also buy in from the many stakeholders. Most recently the feasibility through to commissioning of a large-scale pharmaceutical AD plant for a private client. All these whilst ensuring that the multiple stakeholders involved are clear on their roles and responsibility as well as any time constraints. This experience is essential in ensuring a successful outcome for any project.

Assessment of the project programme for both accuracy and viability is essential to ensure that the CAPEX drawdown is reflected accurately in the programme and that the revenue being generated by the project will come on stream when it should do and at the levels being proposed. A poor and misaligned programme can lead to project cash shortfalls or calls for CAPEX being made when funders aren’t expecting them. Utilising close to 30 years’ experience of construction projects and their associated programme we can advise on accuracy, viability, and buildability within a programme to ensure alignment.

Uisdean has over 25 years’ experience in multiple forms of contract which would typically be deployed on a project including the IChemE suite of contracts, FIDIC, JCT and NEC3/4, having advised and drafted contract document for many successful projects over the years.

The carbon impact of a project, both during construction and once in operation is becoming of very high importance to investors to ensure that their capital is being deployed in a carbon efficient manner. Uisdean has worked in the carbon accounting sector for close to 15 years advising at all levels from small business to multi-national corporate entities on carbon accounting and carbon management strategies and can advise on the carbon reductions becoming asserted by a project developer.

Uisdean has operated at board level for almost 20 years and with almost 14 years at Managing Director level. He is very experienced in this role and can act in either a board advisory capacity for specific projects or in a longer term non-executive director role advising on the technical and carbon aspects of your business.