Independent renewable generators currently supply 7.6% of UK power demand.

The total green capacity from independent generators is almost 11GW, which is 40% of the country’s green power, a new report from SmartestEnergy revealed.

It added more than 5,400 renewable projects were developed last year, providing around £1 billion of electricity – enough energy to power more than 6.2 million households.

The ‘Energy Entrepreneurs Report’ stated almost £2.5 billion have been invested in projects above 50KW in the four years since the firm began tracking independent clean energy generation across the nation.

Last year energy entrepreneurs outside the traditional electricity supply sector invested more than £376 million in 1,007 commercial-scale projects, adding 2.4GW of new clean capacity, it added.

Robert Groves, CEO of SmartestEnergy said: “Energy entrepreneurs are indispensable to Britain’s energy future, driving change towards a flexible, efficient, low carbon power system. They are creating new jobs, improving our energy security and helping to meet climate change targets and there is evidence that rapid growth in renewables can bring down electricity prices.

“Energy entrepreneurs are small, nimble and innovative. They have attracted a global pool of capital to invest in Britain’s renewable capacity and are taking advantage of technologies like wind and solar which are rapidly coming down the cost curve. They are starting to invest in battery storage which will play a key role in our future energy system and offers exciting new business opportunities.”