AMPYR Distributed Energy pledges to match GB Energy’s £180m investment in rooftop solar for schools and hospitals

AMPYR Distributed Energy (ADE), a leading investor in onsite sustainable energy solutions, has announced that it will more than match the £180m being committed to rooftop solar in schools and hospitals by the UK Government and GB Energy.

Last week The Government and GB Energy announced that it is committing £80 million in public funding to help around 200 schools accelerate their net zero progress, as well as £100 million across nearly 200 NHS sites to install rooftop solar panels. The move would see selected sites embrace the potential of onsite renewable energy generation, cutting their utility bills and, providing the opportunity to sell surplus energy back to the grid.

The announcement has made national headlines and has highlighted the opportunity to accelerate the delivery of onsite renewables in the UK. ADE is writing to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier to set out the vital role that private sector investors can play, supplementing government funding to deliver even more savings in health and education through wider investment in rooftop solar.

John Behan, CEO of ADE explains: “While investment into renewable energy generation should be celebrated, it’s safe to suggest that a joined-up approach between public and private sector is best placed to fast-track renewable energy adoption in health and education. Indeed, models and funding options are available with no upfront costs to ensure considerable savings over the lifetime of the installation, helping to protect constrained budgets in those sectors and ensure public funding is focused on where it is needed most, on frontline health and education services.

“We are prepared to match the £180m offer – and more – to help fast-track renewable energy adoption and reduce energy bills in health and education. We are keen to work closely with GB Energy to ensure that the value that private sector money can bring is realized alongside the benefits of onsite renewables to reduce energy bills and deliver greater energy resilience.

“Both the health sector and education are crying out for cost savings. The benefit of private sector investment is that you not only get delivery and installation of solar at pace, but you also have the certainty that assets will be maintained for optimal performance throughout their lifetime.”

ADE is backed by capital from AGP Sustainable Real Assets a global asset manager across the renewable energy and real estate sector. Funding is delivered via Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), an agreement that sees renewable energy generation technologies installed at zero upfront cost, with the resulting power generated sold at a reduced per unit cost, generating significant cost savings for public and private sector organizations. Peace of mind comes from knowing that while costs are reduced, they will also cover lifetime maintenance and performance of the installation.

“As investors, we will ensure that the solar installation is well maintained, and performance and efficiency are optimized throughout the lifetime of the product. This is a long-term commitment, and we are keen to work with Government and GB Energy on ensuring a risk-free option that ultimately delivers value for taxpayers and the wider economy,” added Behan.

“Working closely with GB Energy will ultimately mean greater alignment with the opportunities that private sector investment can bring. It can deliver the focus and pace that will fully unlock the potential for the private sector to invest in public services that are crying out for costs savings. Our ability to reduce per unit costs and supply renewables at no upfront costs will widen access to the benefits of renewables to more than 32,000 schools in the UK and more than 215 NHS Trusts managing multiple hospitals.

“The Government and GB Energy need to urgently look at the untapped potential of the private sector and we look forward to taking this conversation forward,” concluded Behan.