THE number of renewable energy projects in Devon continues to grow with 1,717 new installations in a year according to an independent report.

The latest Renewable Energy Progress report has been produced by Regen on behalf of Devon County Council, and shows that in 2017 and 2018 that Devon had a total of 29,474 installations.

The vast majority of these – 60 per cent - were Solar PV roof top panels, but they also include hydro, solar thermal, heat pumps, energy from waste facilities and on shore wind farms, with an installed renewable energy capacity of 895MW.

Heat pumps made up most of the new heat capacity, with over 3.4 MW installed between April 2017 and December 2018.

North Devon and Torridge have the greatest installed capacity of renewable energy out of Devon’s local authorities.

The three largest installations are still onshore wind, with Fullabrook Wind Farm in North Devon having the highest capacity at 65 MW, while the largest solar farm in the Devon area is the 16 MW installation at Pitworthy Farm in Torridge.

The estimated total annual renewable energy generation for Devon area is 1,507 GWh. This is equivalent to approximately nine per cent of current total energy demand, including electricity, heat and transport, being met by local renewable energy generation.

North Devon and Torridge have the highest percentage of total demand met by renewable energy generation, as they are rural areas with a large amount of wind and solar generation respectively.

Some of these projects have been created by one of Devon’s 23 community organisations, more than any other county.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment said: “This report from Regen is encouraging, it shows that the renewable energy sector in Devon is expanding. The data will help us determine where Devon should focus its efforts to deploy more renewables and will be considered by the Devon Climate Emergency Net-Zero Task Force as part of the creation of the Devon Carbon Plan.

“All of this activity enhances local skills, creates jobs, improves health and helps the environment. I would like to congratulate everybody, private householders, organisations and volunteers, for making these initiatives and projects such a success.”