Brits increase renewable energy investments
57 per cent of UK investors are increasing their investments in renewable energy, new research has found.
A survey commissioned by Thrive Renewables found that 81 per cent said they were concerned about the long-term implications of the energy crisis, with 57 per cent wanting to use their investing power to help bring down energy costs.
Over half (56 per cent) said that they felt a responsibility to use their investments to help the UK achieve its net-zero carbon goals.
1,000 UK retail investors were surveyed, alongside 2,000 people from the general population.
The poll found that investors want the UK government to invest more in renewable energy as well.
69 per cent said they believe in increasing UK investment in renewable energy, despite Prime Minister Liz Truss indicating that she will restrict development in renewables.
65 per cent of retail investors supported more solar energy projects in the UK, which rose to 78 per cent of those that had been investing for 10 years or more.
Meanwhile, 62 per cent supported more onshore wind projects, which rose again to 72 per cent of experienced investors.
Read more: What to expect from the new Prime Minister
Thrive Renewables, a renewable energy investment firm, has raised more than £5m so far in its current crowdfunding offer to build new renewable energy generation and storage across the UK. The campaign aims to raise £7m.
The share offer is promoted by ethical lender Triodos Bank UK through its crowdfunding platform , with a minimum investment of £94 for 40 shares.
The company is targeting five to eight per cent return per year through a combination of dividends and increasing share value.
Read more: Ethical lender Triodos Bank enters P2P crowd bond space
“UK investors want to use their money to support positive environmental change, and channel their concern for the energy crisis into long-term solutions that aim to reduce the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels,” said Whitni Thomas, head of corporate finance at Triodos Bank UK. “Through crowdfunding campaigns such as the Thrive share offer, we can enable even more people to access impact investment opportunities.”
Read more: Are retail investors being squeezed out of the IFISA market?