Opus Energy signs 250th renewable generator

July 19, 2012 - PRLog -- Independent energy supplier to UK businesses, Opus Energy, has announced its 250th renewable generator agreement, signed with Milford Haven Port Authority this month.

The agreement will see Opus Energy purchasing power from solar PV systems across 11 of Milford Haven Port Authority’s sites. This adds to an existing two sites owned by the group that were signed with Opus Energy earlier this year, including Milford Haven Port’s flagship 100.8kW Phoenix Power PV Station - the largest integrated solar PV system in Wales -  located on the roof of a tenpin bowling centre.

Tim James, Energy Development Manager, Milford Haven Port Authority, comments on the signing: “Milford Haven Port has a long established tradition of working at the cutting edge of energy production. Renewable generation now makes up part of our energy interests and is set to grow considerably as we make the transition to low carbon energy generation. We now have over 800kW of renewable energy generators and Opus Energy’s speed and ability to deliver within our deadlines and targets made them a great choice.”

Opus Energy is experiencing a growing level of interest amongst small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in generating renewable power from their own businesses, allowing them to power their own sites whilst reducing their carbon footprint. Generating renewable energy also provides SMEs with an additional income, as Opus Energy purchases their renewable power - via its power purchase agreements (PPAs) - to supply to its customers.

Charlie Crossley Cooke, Managing Director, Opus Energy, says: “Our growing customer base is evidence that renewable energy generation can provide businesses with a much needed boost to their income. This also contributes to a company’s energy provision in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way, which in turn will help bolster CSR credentials.”

Opus Energy’s 100th renewable generator agreement was signed with sustainable Devon crab fishery, The Blue Sea Food Company, after they installed solar PV panels onto the roof of their manufacturing sites.

David Markham, Sales Director, The Blue Sea Food Company explains: “We’re proud to process sustainable South Devon crab and try to instil this ethos throughout the business operation. Fitting solar panels is one of several initiatives the company has carried out in order to minimize our environmental footprint. We hope the new solar panels will supply upwards of 25% of our entire factories’ electricity requirements.”

Crossley Cooke continues, “So far, we’ve seen take-up of our renewables PPA across a range of different business sectors, from food manufacturers and suppliers to farms and community centres. Our challenge is to grow this customer base and the take-up of renewables generation amongst UK SMEs, despite decreasing subsidies.

“With the economic situation still so uncertain, any additional income will be invaluable for businesses. A 100kW solar panel on the roof of a factory, for example, will typically generate an income of over £16,000 per year, and will help reduce running costs, which makes sound business sense.”

Ends

Photo:
Milford Haven Port’s flagship 100.8 kW Phoenix Power PV Station, the largest integrated PV system in Wales, located on the roof of the Phoenix Bowl tenpin bowling centre.

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About Opus Energy
Opus Energy is the UK’s leading business energy supplier. With offices in Northampton and Oxford, Opus Energy employs 410 people.

Opus Energy supplies over 130,000 UK business sites across all sectors. Corporate customers include: Stagecoach, Pizza Hut and Virgin Media.

Opus Energy’s management team has a 50 per cent stake in the business, while International Power Plc (LSE: IPR.L) holds 30 per cent and Telecom Plus Plc (LSE: TEP.L) has 20 per cent.

For further information about Opus Energy, please see www.opusrenewables.com.

About Milford Haven Port Authority
Milford Haven Port Authority is responsible for the biggest port in Wales, and the third largest port in the UK, handling over 71m gross tons of shipping which amounted to nearly 49m tonnes of cargo during 2011. One of the most prominent on the West Coast, it is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain.

Two Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities on its shores mean that a potential 30% of the UK's gas requirements will be processed through the Port. With 25% of the UK's petrol and diesel provisions already being handled on the Waterway, Milford Haven is emerging as the new energy capital of the UK.

Milford Haven Port Authority is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities. All profits are retained within the Authority to fund these objectives.  

For further information, visit www.mhpa.co.uk.

About The Blue Sea Food Company
The Blue Sea Food Company is proud to process Devon crabs.

Crabs are caught using pots that are laid on the sea bed in strings. Pots are a selective and passive form of fishing causing no damage to the marine environment. Very importantly, the crab is alive when bought to the surface so any crab which is undersize, damaged, showing eggs or has recently shed its shell will be returned to the sea alive allowing them to grow and breed again.

The Blue Sea Food Company’s fishery enforces the largest minimum landing size in European waters. This allows crabs at least one further reproduction cycle before being landed.

Both the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) recognises crab caught within the Inshore Potting Agreement, off the South Devon Coast, as an example of sustainable crab fishing.

For further information visit: www.devoncrab.com/