Research carried out by independent energy company SmartestEnergy found that there are now 38 larger-scale renewable generation projects operating in the sector across Great Britain, with a combined capacity of almost 135MW, more than any other business sector.
Projects of 50kW capacity (and over) in the industry include …
Anaerobic digestion, biomass and wind are the three most popular renewable technologies used by food and drink businesses, which account for more than a third of the country’s onsite generation projects.
Soaring energy bills and growing environmental concerns have seen a significant increase in onsite renewable energy projects, with the total number in operation across businesses in Great Britain showing a 53% jump during 2012.
Electricity generated is used to save on energy bills and to profit from selling surplus power.
“Rising energy prices and the introduction of financial subsidy schemes such as the Feed-in Tariff have sparked huge interest in the development of onsite renewable generation projects,” said Iain Robertson, SmartestEnergy’s head of generation.
“For businesses faced with steep rises in energy costs, investing in their own renewable energy projects can generate significant savings and help them remain competitive,” he said. “Consumers are also increasingly interested in the sustainability of companies which they buy products from and investing in renewable energy can be used to highlight environmental credentials.
“The combined strength of a large number of these projects will also play an important role in helping the country meet its climate change targets in the years ahead.”
The figures for onsite generation projects have been compiled as part of the Energy Entrepreneurs report into the independent generation sector, being produced by SmartestEnergy and which will be published later this month.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024