2021 Wrapped

2021 has been a busy year for energy, with record-breaking prices due to surge in global gas demand and the continued strive to net-zero with the eyes of the world on Glasgow as the UK hosted COP26. It's also been a memorable year for SmartestEnergy in the UK and internationally, we look back at the highlights of the last year in our Spotify inspired, ‘2021 Wrapped’ blog.

Net Zero Week Festival

This year we were proud sponsors of Net Zero Week from 17^th -23 July. This was a great opportunity for us to welcome industry experts, customers, and stakeholders to our Canary Wharf office for a day of net-zero related content ahead of COP26. Our Net Zero Week Festival held on Thursday 22^nd provided a forum for key discussions around Corporate PPAs, EVs and V2G technologies and case studies from our customers on their journey to net zero – watch the presentation recordings. We ended the day off with sustainably sourced food and drinks, music and entertainment.

SmartestEnergy Business Renewable Product Launch

Following the success of Net Zero Week Festival, the Group's Business Division, SmartestEnergy Business Limited, announced the introduction of its newest service to UK small and medium-sized enterprises, 'SmartFix Renewable'. As well as existing products, the renewable product aims to make it simpler for business owners to procure renewable energy and support the UK’s ambitious net-zero targets, whilst controlling their energy overheads.

SmartestEnergy Business appointed as Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) for MA Energy Limited customers

SmartestEnergy Business Limited has been appointed by Ofgem to take on the non-domestic customers of MA Energy Limited following the announcement that it ceased trading from November. Through a successful bid with Ofgem in the SoLR process, SmartestEnergy Business has acquired around 1,000 business supply points from MA Energy, with a combined use of 116 GWh.

SmartestEnergy Limited Issued Renewable Energy Labels to UK I&C business sites to evidence zero-carbon emissions

We issued our Industrial and Commercial (I&C) business customers with Energy Labels in October, enabling them to evidence zero-carbon emissions for the renewable electricity they procure on a site-by-site basis.  In 2020, we distributed approx. 2,000 Energy Labels to I&C business sites and are pleased to see this number increase as even more businesses are now opting for 100% renewable energy, turning their net-zero ambitions into action and reducing their carbon footprint.

Renewed 190MW Viridor Partnership until 2025

In February, we were proud to renew our partnership with one of the UK’s biggest recycling and waste management businesses, Viridor. The new 190MW PPA, initially running until 2025, builds on Viridor’s existing bespoke ETSA framework product by adding a number of further enhanced product features, including a rolling five-year hedging horizon. Read the full case study for more information

SmartestEnergy Business Limited announces the appointment of its new CEO, Louise Wapshare

Louise Wapshare, an experienced business leader who has held prominent top roles within the energy industry, was named the new Chief Executive Officer of SmartestEnergy Business Limited in April. Louise began at SmartestEnergy Limited as VP of Finance in 2016 before being appointed to VP Operations in 2019.

SmartestEnergy Australia and AMP Capital sign renewable electricity deal for UniSuper

A three-year renewable power agreement was signed in October between SmartestEnergy Australia and AMP Capital on behalf of UniSuper, to link electricity generated by a Victorian solar farm to UniSuper’s East Coast property assets. The landmark PPA contract with Providence Asset Group (PAG) supports their 500GWh portfolio of community-based solar farms. The AMP Capital partnership supports one of Australia’s largest super funds, UniSuper, as they work towards carbon neutrality in directly owned property portfolio by January 2022.

SmartestEnergy US expands trading operations and licencing into further states

SmartestEnergy US expanded its trading operation with the addition of origination and renewables to their trading team. We also expended our licensing into a further 6 states and opened our Trading and Management Hub in New York City this month, bringing our trading desk closer to many of our brokers and wholesale counterparties.

SmartestEnergy partnered with technology partners to deliver Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Proof-of-Concept (POC)

In March, SmartestEnergy and our parent company, Marubeni partnered with Grid Edge, Virta and Origami Energy to deliver a new future energy project that explores how UK businesses can leverage advanced electric vehicle (EV) charging capabilities. The Proof of Concept (PoC) project will aimed to explore service offerings that leverage Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) technology.

SmartestEnergy’s launch new Energy Entrepreneurs: State of the Market report

This week, we conclude 2021 with the launch  of our annual Energy Entrepreneurs: State of the Market report which provides a snap-shot of the UK renewable generation market and focuses on the role of independent generators and large businesses in the push to net-zero. The report explores whether the UK is on track to meet 2030 and 2050 net-zero targets, underlining the need to accelerate the pace of renewable development and continued net-zero engagement from business consumers. You can download the report or full or read our 5-minute overview for a quick digest of the key highlights here.

With the year coming to an end, we’d like to wish you all the best for the festive season and a happy and healthy new year from the SmartestEnergy Team. Should you need to contact us over the festive period, you can find our office hours here.

See you all in the New Year!