Schroders Greencoat has achieved a significant milestone, reaching 2 gigawatts (GW) of operational solar capacity in the United Kingdom, enough to power approximately 730,000 homes annually. This achievement follows the recent energisation of the Eynsham solar site in West Oxfordshire.
With more than 200 operational solar projects spanning the UK, from southern England to Scotland and Northern Ireland, the company's portfolio now accounts for roughly one fifth of the country's total installed ground-mounted solar capacity.
Schroders Greencoat's expansion in the UK solar sector dates back to the early days of commercial-scale solar ventures. In 2016, the firm, then known as Greencoat Capital, launched its first solar fund, which was fully invested by 2017. This was followed by the launch of a second solar vehicle in 2017, which closed in 2023 with a total of £1.4 billion in fund commitments.
In a statement, Lee Moscovitch, partner and co-head of solar and storage at Schroders Greencoat, commented: “As governments continue to pursue the journey to net zero carbon and energy security, solar has an increasingly important role to play. The UK represents a significant utility-scale solar market in Europe, creating compelling investment opportunities for private capital.”
The firm also made headlines in 2023 with the acquisition of the Toucan Energy portfolio, which, at the time, was the largest-ever operating ground-mount solar transaction in the UK. The portfolio consists of 53 solar farms across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with a combined capacity of 513.3 MWp, enough to power 184,000 homes.
In addition to its growing operational capacity, Schroders Greencoat continues to expand its footprint in the renewable energy sector, focusing on earlier-stage projects and exploring new markets and technologies. In 2024, the company acquired two significant pre-construction assets: the 27.5MW Ducklington Solar project in Oxfordshire and the 28.5MW Stokeford solar project in Dorset.
“Active management is crucial for achieving positive outcomes for our clients and has played a vital role in establishing our long-standing reputation as sector specialists and a trusted partner,” Moscovitch added. “We are proud to hit this milestone. We look forward to building on this strong trajectory of growth and accelerating the UK's decarbonisation journey.”
Schroders Greencoat's approach reflects an ongoing commitment to advancing the energy transition, which it aims to support by securing investments in both established and emerging renewable energy technologies.
