Spending on independent renewables in UK hits GBP 300m in 2013

Jul 2, 2014 - Total of GBP 297.6 million (USD 511m/EUR 374m) were invested last year to commission 843 new commercial-scale independent renewable energy projects in the UK, a new report shows.

According to the statistics compiled by SmartestEnergy, the number of UK projects of at least 50 kW that started operations in 2013 is over 40.4% higher than a year back. Last year’s spending on renewables brings the total investment in the segment to GBP 1.6 billion. Such projects are usually developed by communities, businesses, farmers and public bodies.

Overall, there are currently 2,930 independent projects of over 50 kW in operation across the UK. They have a combined capacity of just over 6.2 GW, enough to produce 20 TWh of power a year worth a total of GBP 997 million. Of the independent generation, onshore wind accounts for 45%.

The total electricity generated in 2013 by independent renewable energy schemes was enough to cover the power needs of 4.67 million homes, which is an year-on-year increase of 19%, SmartestEnergy says in the Energy Entrepreneurs Report 2014.

(GBP 1.0 = USD 1.716/EUR 1.257)

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