Brokers target renewable energy as key focus for 2021
Brokers have their sights set on renewable energy as a significant source of business in 2021 and beyond, according to new research from Investec Asset Finance.
Investec’s annual report – the largest of its kind – surveyed more than 100 brokers in the UK in the first half of 2021, finding that almost 80% had completed at least one renewable energy transaction in the last year.
“We see massive potential in renewable energy for our broker clients,” commented Charlotte Davies, head of Sustainable Energy Finance at Investec.
61% of brokers surveyed expect renewable energy to be a growth area for their business, with a further 30% identifying it as a potential area of focus.
“We’ve seen a real shift in mindset among end clients, and it’s great to see brokers supporting this,” explains Investec’s Charlotte Davies. “Historically, if you were looking at something like solar panels on your roof, government incentives would have been a big driver, along with the possibility of selling energy back to the grid. Now that those subsidies have expired, people are moving away from asking ‘how much money can I make’ and instead asking ‘how much money can I save’ on their bills using these non-subsidised installs – which are proving very popular.”
ESG criteria are also proving to be important factors in procurement processes, particularly with larger clients – for some contracts, companies must be able to demonstrate environmental credentials just to be in the running.
One area which has received a significant boost is charging facilities for electric vehicles in car parks, often in office or retail complexes. “This is an area of focus for Investec,” Charlotte continued, “to the point where we’re working on a bespoke policy that will make us even more competitive in this area.”
