List of the 150 largest independent power producers in Europe [2024]

Description

List of 5 large independent power producers in Europe

Independent Power Producers – or short IPPs – play a central role in the energy transition. While they own and operate energy sites, they do not have their own access to the power grid, which is how they differ from utilities (which is why they are also called ‘non-utility generator (NUG)’). IPPs sell generated energy from their sites either to a grid operator (most of the time through a contractually feed-in tariff from the operator) or by selling their electricity directly to a customer through a power purchase agreement. The second option in particular is highly relevant for the energy transition – in order to tackle climate change, industry in particular needs to reduce its CO2 emissions. By ‘buying’ green energy through an IPP via a power purchase agreement, a big step towards CO2 neutrality can be taken. In the following we will present five large independent power producers in Europe.

1. Clearvise AG – Green energy investments from Wiesbaden, Germany

Clearvise AG is an independent power producer based in Wiesbaden, Germany. The company invests mainly in onshore wind and solar energy projects, both large-scale utility projects as well as smaller energy generation systems. Clearvise also has one biogas facility. Established in 2010, the IPP and is active all over Europe, with a portfolio consisting of over 316MW of installed capacity. With this the company has exceeded the self-imposed clearScale 2025 goal.

Update 2024: Clearvise AG has realised two further solar parks in Italy through cooperation. The new solar parks with an anticipated aggregate capacity of 14.2 MWp are scheduled for construction about 15 kilometres south of Rome in the Lazio region.

2. Neoen – Paris-based independent power producer

The Paris-based Neoen is one of the largest renewable energy companies in France. The independent power producer operates on the whole value chain, while focusing on solar and wind power as well as energy storage projects. Since their foundation in 2008, the IPP has installed over 5400MW, mainly in Europe.

Update 2024: Neoen has entered into a 4-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with SmartestEnergy for the sale of half the power generated by its 440 MWp Culcairn Solar Farm in Australia. The Culcairn Solar Form is currently under construction and on track to be operational in 2026.

3. Conrad Energy – diverse renewable energy portfolio from Abingdon, UK

Conrad Energy is an Abingdon-based independent power producer. The IPP focuses on projects in the United Kingdom, developing solar, green hydrogen and energy storage projects. Conrad Energy offers multiple power purchase agreement solutions, also offering to operate a diverse range of renewable energy sites (e.g. wind, hydro or biomass energy in addition to their own development focus). The company’s portfolio comprises 79 sites operational and under construction with a potential to generate 964 MW of renewable energy. Conrad Energy has 2495 MW in development and 117 MW in construction with 847 MW operational.

Update 2024: Conrad Energy has signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Belton Farm. The company will undertake the development, funding, construction, ownership, maintenance and operation of a 1.5 MWp ground-mounted solar facility, which will result in a reduction of 552 tonnes of CO2 in Belton Farm’s carbon emissions next year. 

4. Ilmatar wind power – Finnish independent power producer

Ilmatar wind power is a Finnish independent power producer with its headquarters in Helsinki. The company was founded in 2011 and develops wind farms and solar parks in Finland. They also just started their first battery storage project. As typical for IPPs, Ilmatar is involved very closely in every step – starting from development, to construction and operational asset management. The company also offers long-term PPAs for finnish customers. Ilmatar has produced 415.3 GWh of renewable energy in 2023. The companies extensive project portfolio comprises over 20 GW in mainland Finland, Sweden, and Åland.

5. ABEI Energy – Spanish IPP

Abei Energy is a Madrid-based independent power producer. The company is active in the United States and all over Europe with solar energy and onshore wind energy projects. The company also handles green hydrogen and battery energy storage projects. The IPP is integrated all over the value chain, starting with project development, over EPC, operation and management as well as asset management.

Update 2024: The Spanish IPP has entered into an agreement with the Triodos Bank to secure financing for two of its solar photovoltaic projects. situated in the provinces of Sevilla and Cádiz. The projects have a combined capacity of 55.2 MWp and are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.  

More information about our list:

Our list of independent power producers in Europe is split into two sub-lists: IPPs that act primarily as investors and IPPs that act primarily as project developers. Both types of companies are included in the product. Some entries are duplicated as the company acts as both investor and project developer, in total there are over 150 individual entries.

Included columns

The following columns are included in our database of independent power producers:

• Company Name
• Legal form
• URL
• Country
• City
• Postcode
• Address
• Email
• Phone
• Onshore Wind?
• Offshore Wind?
• Solar?
• Hydro?
• Tidal?
• Hydrogen projects?
• Geothermal?
• Energy storage?
• Biomass?
• IPP?
• PPAs?
• Management
• Regional Focus
• Founding year
• Installed capacity in MW

Image Sources: Erik Karits & Clément Rémond (22.06.2023)