Solar could have reduced UK gas reliance, says Carbon Brief
Carbon Brief has estimated that the United Kingdom would have needed to import 20 TWh less natural gas this year if successive Conservative governments had not wound down the rewards for generating solar electricity.
Brexit paralysis and lack of incentives leave community energy facing uphill struggle in the UK
The future benefits of technology such as smart meters and the associated aggregation of small scale generation are not being adequately rewarded, support for solar and wind is being cut off and parliament is fixated solely on one issue.
Investment fund refinances 200 MW of UK projects set up under subsidy regime
A bevy of lenders from Australia, Germany and the Netherlands have provided up to £272 million for 17 solar and onshore wind projects that benefit from the U.K.’s expired incentives program.
Foresight Solar acquires 80 MW project portfolio in UK
The latest acquisition means the solar energy investment company has expanded its portfolio to 869 MW across 54 installations. The company says the increased diversification of its portfolio will improve operational efficiencies.
Renewables account for 31% of UK electricity, installations remain flat
The U.K. government has cold-shouldered PV with a row of disfavourable policies, which have put at risk the financial viability of new arrays. In the past few last years, the market has remained almost flat, with installations sitting at around 200 MW per year.
Foresight Solar Fund completes acquisition of 114 MW UK portfolio
U.K. investor the Foresight Solar Fund today announced the acquisition of a portfolio of operational PV projects, following a placement of new shares in June which raised around £48.1 million.
Anesco formally opens UK’s first subsidy-free solar farm, complete with storage
The 10 MW Clayhill solar farm and storage facility, developed by British renewable energy developer Anesco, was officially opened by the U.K. government’s climate change minister Claire Perry.
UK’s Lightsource and BlackRock team on £1bn solar strategy
British renewable energy developer Lightsource has entered into a £1 billion partnership with asset manager BlackRock Real Assets to create Kingfisher, which will target 1 GW of solar capacity in the U.K. Partnership will also eye storage opportunities.
Hive Energy’s subsidy-free 40 MW UK solar plant gets approval
The British solar developer confirms that its proposed 40 MW solar farm in Hampshire, southern England, will be commissioned by early 2018 and built without the need for any form of subsidy or support from government.
Anesco completes 130 MW of UK projects ahead of ROC deadline
The British developer has completed PV projects totaling 130 MW in the UK. All the plants were connected in time for the 31 March 1.2 ROC deadline.
