RSK Group acquires Australian planning consultancy Cogency

UK-based engineering consultancy RSK Group said it has acquired Cogency, an Australian planning, environmental assessment and engagement consultancy focused on renewable energy projects. The companies did not disclose financial terms of the deal.

RSK said Cogency has advised on several major Australian renewable energy projects, including planning approval for Akaysha Energy and BZ Renewables’ 400 MW/1,600 MWh Glenrowan battery energy storage system in Victoria’s Central North Renewable Energy Zone. RSK said the project received no objections and was approved through Victoria’s Development Facilitation Program, an accelerated pathway for priority renewable-energy and utility projects of at least 1 MW.

RSK also pointed to Cogency’s work on the Weasel Solar Farm, a 250 MW agrivoltaic solar project with a 144 MW/576 MWh battery storage system at Bothwell, Tasmania, and the Hazelwood North Solar Farm, a 450 MW project with a 450 MW/1,800 MWh four-hour battery in Victoria’s Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone.

The Cogency deal is the latest in a series of Australian acquisitions by RSK, which has expanded its Australian operations since 2022 through deals spanning sustainability, acoustics, community engagement, geotechnical services and ecology. It posted group-wide revenue of GBP 2.2 billion ($2.9 billion) for the 2025 fiscal year, up 21% year on year, with more than 16,000 employees operating in more than 40 countries, according to its most recent annual report.

The deal comes amid a broader wave of consolidation in Australia’s environmental-consultancy sector this year, including Geosyntec’s agreement to acquire environmental consultancy JBS&G, Stantec’s acquisition of Sydney-based Niche and its Ausecology subsidiary, and Applus+’s acquisition of environmental approvals consultancy Resource Strategies.

Cogency was founded in Melbourne in 2022 by Adam Terrill and Rebecca Wardle, who will continue to lead the business as managing directors under its existing brand. They said the acquisition would let them extend their reach while keeping Cogency’s brand, management and client relationships intact. RSK CEO Alan Ryder added that the deal strengthens the company’s ability to support renewable energy clients from early-stage planning through approvals.