Seven in 10 retail investors think the UK should increase investment in renewable energy, according to new polling, undertaken by Opinium Research.
The new polling, which surveyed 1000 UK retail investors alongside 2000 people from the general population, found that, prompted by concerns for the climate and energy crisis, six in 10 investors are increasing their investments in renewables.
Thrive Renewables, which commissioned the research, said it revealed that UK retail investors are “deeply concerned about the climate and energy crisis and want to take matters into their own hands”.
Specifically, 65% of retail investors support more solar energy projects in the UK, which rises to 78% of seasoned investors that have been investing for 10 years or more.
Meanwhile, 62% support more onshore wind projects (rising to 72% of experienced investors).
Eight in 10 investors (81%) say they are concerned about the long-term implications of the energy crisis, with many (57%) wanting to use their investing power to help bring down energy costs for all.
Over half (56%) say that as an investor, they feel a responsibility to use their investments to help the UK achieve its net-zero carbon goals.
Thrive Renewables has raised more than £5m so far in its current crowdfunding offer in order to build new renewable energy generation and storage across the UK.
The share offer is promoted by Triodos Bank UK through its crowdfunding platform, with a minimum investment of £94.
The company is targeting 5-8% return per year through a combination of dividends and increasing share value.
The campaign aims to raise £7m for Thrive, which has almost 30 years’ experience in building, owning and operating clean energy projects with the backing of thousands of investors, large and small.
Matthew Clayton, Managing Director of Thrive Renewables, said: “In the midst of climate breakdown and an energy crisis, it has never been more important for the UK to invest in the renewable electricity generation needed to transition away from fossil fuels and deliver on this country’s net-zero carbon goals.
“It’s clear that investors and the UK public support this and are taking matters into their own hands to invest in positive, long-term solutions such as solar and wind energy.”
Whitni Thomas, Head of Corporate Finance at Triodos Bank UK, said: “UK investors want to use their money to support positive environmental change, and channel their concern for the energy crisis into long-term solutions that aim to reduce the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels.
“Through crowdfunding campaigns such as the Thrive share offer, we can enable even more people to access impact investment opportunities.”