The Growth of Renewable Tech Companies in the UK

Recent global data analysis indicates that the United Kingdom has significantly trailed other nations in its investments in renewable energy. This has also seen an increase in tech companies switching to renewable energy solutions across the UK, too. 

According to the most recent government statistics, the UK’s renewable energy capacity has experienced a comparatively modest average annual growth of 4.45% over the past three years, in contrast to the global average of 9.67% annual growth. 

UK Renewable Energy Market Analysis

In the short to medium term, key drivers for this renewable energy growth include supportive government policies and endeavours to fulfil the surging energy demand by leveraging renewable sources while simultaneously reducing reliance on fossil fuels to curtail carbon emissions.

In the second quarter of 2023, 42.1% of our electricity came from renewable sources, which is more than the 38.7% in the same period the previous year. Surprisingly, renewable energy now makes up a bigger part of our electricity generation than fossil fuels, which only contributed 38.8%. This shift was due to increased electricity imports and reduced electricity demand

Given the UK’s ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption by 2030, substantial market opportunities are poised to emerge for companies operating within the renewable energy market in the near future.

Is Renewable Energy a Growing Sector in the UK?

According to the April – June 2023 UK Government Energy Trends Report, the second quarter of 2022 saw an added 3.0 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity. This includes energy from both on and off-shore wind sources alongside Solar PV sources.

Furthermore, in the second quarter of 2023, 42.1% of our electricity came from renewable sources, which is more than the 38.7% in the same period the previous year. Surprisingly, renewable energy now makes up a bigger part of our electricity generation than fossil fuels, which contributed just 38.8%. The reason for this shift was due to increased electricity imports and reduced electricity demand.

What is Cleantech?

Greentech, aptly named, pertains to the application of technology in addressing climate change and various urgent environmental issues. Greentech, or cleantech, enterprises are dedicated to creating and implementing these technologies to diminish our adverse ecological footprint on the planet. It is this particular focus on cutting-edge technology that distinguishes greentech companies from some of the UK’s other rapidly growing sustainable businesses.

Evolving Niche Categories in the Greentech Landscape

Currently, green technologies are surfacing in a multitude of burgeoning sectors, spanning from software-as-a-service (SaaS) to fintech. Nevertheless, among these, some of the most prevalent ones encompass:

Clean Energy

Clean energy enterprises are actively working on technologies that offer alternatives to fossil fuels, such as solar, geothermal, and nuclear fusion, or innovations aimed at curbing energy consumption and minimising waste.

Agritech

This category encompasses a broad spectrum of endeavours, ranging from vertical farming initiatives to the creation of eco-friendly pesticides. What unites Green Agritech companies is their shared commitment to mitigating adverse environmental impacts in the agriculture sector, which traditionally bears a substantial carbon footprint and consumes significant land, water, and energy resources.

Transport

A significant recent trend involves the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs). Over 60 greentech companies are involved in the automotive sector, including electric cars, aircraft, and the batteries that power them. These companies provide eco-conscious transport options for both consumers and businesses aiming to reduce their carbon emissions.

Circular Economy

Enterprises dedicated to the circular economy seek to establish closed-loop systems in which waste is repurposed to create new products or applications. This not only lessens pollution but also diminishes the reliance on finite resources. Innovators in this sector are pioneering next-generation recycling technologies and sustainable alternatives to non-recyclable materials.

How Can Tech Companies Switch to Renewable Energy?

Large technology corporations have largely made firm commitments to attaining zero emissions within their own operations. Depending on the scale and intricacy of your enterprise, there are diverse routes to accomplishing 100% renewable energy adoption:

• Onsite Energy Generation: This approach entails producing energy directly at your place of business, typically by deploying technologies like solar panels
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): These are extended contractual agreements with renewable energy initiatives like solar and wind farms, securing a consistent supply of clean energy for your operations

Benefits for Tech Companies that Switch to Green Energy

Tech companies play a vital role in the shift towards renewable energy. Their involvement spans from sourcing and advocating for green energy to creating renewable energy technologies. 

Prominent global companies, such as Google, Unilever, and BMW, have already committed to shifting to 100% renewable energy. However, the benefits of green energy adoption aren’t limited to large corporations; smaller businesses can also enjoy financial advantages.

Businesses that make the switch to renewable energy are experiencing several tangible benefits. These include:

Decreased Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Transitioning to renewable energy leads to a noticeable reduction in a company’s greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Diversified Energy Sources

By incorporating renewable energy, companies diversify their energy sources, reducing vulnerability to price fluctuations in fossil fuels.

Strengthened Customer Relations and Brand Differentiation

Embracing renewable energy not only enhances a company’s eco-friendly image but also fosters stronger customer relationships, setting it apart from competitors.

Adopting renewable energy not only lowers a company’s energy costs but significantly reduces its carbon footprint. The energy sourced from renewable means can align with the company’s carbon reduction targets, complementing the government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme. Furthermore, using renewable energy empowers a business to mitigate power grid issues, as it’s no longer reliant on purchasing electricity from major providers, giving them control over energy prices and shielding them from price hikes.