Businesses diversifying into renewables makes sound economic sense - Opus Energy

Independent energy supplier to UK businesses, Opus Energy, has announced the signing of three new hydro-powered renewable energy generation plants in Scotland.

Steve James, Director - Corporate Solutions, Opus Energy, comments on the new signings: “The renewables division at Opus Energy continues to perform strongly as businesses realise that generating their own renewable power makes sound economic sense, particularly in today’s economic climate. We’re thrilled to be adding hydro-generation to our portfolio.

“We’ve found that many businesses aren’t aware that, by generating renewable power and therefore putting a lower demand on the grid to supply them, they are also cutting down on rising industry charges.”

The first of the new hydro agreements, signed in May 2013, covers two plants - totalling 57kW in size - based at Auchencheyne Farm in Scotland. The third agreement is for a 190kW plant at a Selcoth Farm in Dumfries & Galloway, which is a mixed sheep and aquaculture unit. The scheme will come online June 2013. The plants generate enough power to supply 58 small and medium enterprises.

The plants are Opus Energy’s first hydro-powered generators, and complement its existing portfolio of over 650 businesses that are generating renewable power from wind, solar and anaerobic digestion. Opus Energy supplies its customers with the excess renewable power bought from these generators.

The popularity of wind and solar generation in Opus Energy’s renewables division is in line with a recent survey it conducted of more than 1,000 business owners. Overall, 86% of respondents said their businesses would consider generating renewable power using solar technology. Wind power was identified as another popular choice, with 27% of all respondents saying their businesses would consider it as a source for generating energy.

Steve James concludes: “The survey results were really exciting in showing that businesses are switched on to the idea of generating renewable power. The Opus Energy renewables team supports companies looking to move into renewable generation, in order to help them meet their goals of self-sufficient energy supply and generating additional income. We look forward to using our market expertise to help more businesses in the future.”