Planning applications for new renewable energy projects in the UK hit a four-year high in 2019, according to analysis of government figures by PX Group.
The analysis shows that planning applications submitted in the UK for clean power projects rose to 269 in 2019, up from 204 in in 2018, 185 in 2017 and 154 in 2016 – a 75% increase in just three years, PX said.
Projects include solar farms, offshore and onshore wind developments and anaerobic digestion facilities.
PX Group said that the figures show a growing appetite among energy companies for launching renewables projects.
PX Group chief executive Geoff Holmes said: “To see the number of renewable projects in the pipeline rise is extremely encouraging.
“It goes without saying that as more of these projects get off the ground, the faster the UK can get to a point where clean, green sources provide an even greater share of the UK’s energy.
“Of course, there is a lag time between submitting plans to councils and projects becoming fully operational, so more projects being in the pipeline is not a quick fix.”
PX Group is involved in managing some of the UK’s largest renewable energy facilities, including the Tees Renewable Energy Plant and Port Talbot biomass plant.