Independent renewable generators supply 7.6% of UK power demand with more than £1bn of clean electricity produced, according to a new report.
SmartestEnergy’s Energy Entrepreneurs report was published at All-Energy 2016 and has estimated that 70% of all renewables investment was committed by independent generators last year.
The report also says that independent solar capacity grew by 83% in 2015 with almost 700 new projects adding over 2GW.
In addition, the study says that businesses invested in 155 new onsite projects adding 99MW of new energy capacity generating almost £100m worth of electricity in 2015.
Despite a year of growth, the study finds that independent generators now face a crisis as wholesale electricity prices nosedive.
SmartestEnergy chief executive Robert Groves said: “Energy entrepreneurs are indispensable to Britain’s energy future, driving change towards a flexible, efficient, low-carbon power system.
“The government needs to restore confidence to the industry by providing stable policy and certainty over future subsidies available to the industry.”
Image: independent solar capacity in the UK grew by 83% in 2015 (sxc)
