The subsidy-free solar farm began exporting electricity in 2025 and is expected to generate approximately 14,500MWh of renewable electricity annually – enough to power more than 4,000 average UK homes – while avoiding around 6,337 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.
The loan will refinance shareholder capital already invested in the project, enabling it to be redeployed into future renewable energy developments. Fair Play Clean Energy, which was established in 2024, is investing up to £80 million in wind, solar and other renewable energy projects, helping accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Triodos Bank and Thrive Renewables have worked together on renewable energy finance for over thirty years. Recently, this has included share offers and bond raises through the bank’s capital raising and advisory team, as well as debt finance.
Matthew Clayton, CEO of Thrive Renewables, said:"Dunmow has been an important addition to our growing and diverse portfolio of clean energy projects. Through the Fair Play Clean Energy partnership, we're investing in renewable energy assets that can deliver long-term environmental impact while strengthening the UK's energy security."
"Triodos Bank has been a valued partner to Thrive for many years and understands both the opportunities and challenges facing the renewable energy sector. This financing helps us recycle capital into future renewable energy developments, allowing us to continue building the projects needed to accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy system."
Paola Campos Jimenez, senior relationship manager for energy and project finance at Triodos Bank UK, said:"Dunmow Solar is a strong example of the type of renewable energy project we want to support – a high-quality, subsidy-free asset that is already delivering clean electricity to the grid and helping to reduce carbon emissions. By providing long-term finance, we're helping unlock further investment into new renewable energy infrastructure at a time when additional clean generation capacity is urgently needed across the UK."
The finance forms part of Triodos Bank UK's long-standing commitment to renewable energy and its wider vision of supporting an energy system that is clean, reliable and accessible to all. Recognising the need to accelerate the deployment of renewable generation and channel private capital into bankable projects, the bank has recently increased its financing capacity for individual solar and wind projects above £20 million.
Paola adds: "We're also seeing growing demand for medium-scale renewable energy projects. That's why we've increased our financing capacity for individual solar and wind projects over £20 million, enabling us to support a broader range of projects that can make a meaningful contribution to the UK's energy transition."
-Ends-
Notes to editors
For further information, please contact:
Ellie James
[email protected]
0117 311 0241
Lauren Ryan
[email protected]
0117 980 9654
About Triodos Bank
Founded in 1980, Triodos Bank is a frontrunner in impact finance. As an independent, mission-driven bank, Triodos Bank uses money consciously to create positive change, demonstrating that caring for people and planet goes hand in hand with healthy financial returns.
Triodos Bank is the only B-Corp certified bank listed on Euronext Amsterdam. The bank operates in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain and Germany, with Investment Management activities based in the Netherlands and active globally.
Triodos Bank co-founded the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, a network of 70 sustainable banks worldwide. Together these banks work on growing a financial system that supports the real economy and delivers lasting social and environmental impact.
About Thrive Renewables
Thrive Renewables is a renewable energy investment company that has been funding, building and operating renewable energy projects in the UK for 30 years.
The company’s operational portfolio currently consists of 23 projects, plus further renewable energy projects in development. Its portfolio generated over 134,000 MWh of clean electricity in 2025, delivering emissions reductions equivalent to over 64,000 tCO2e.
Vision: We believe in the power of together. A world where everyone can be part of the clean energy generation.
Mission: Putting money to work building new sustainable energy projects and empowering people to take action to address the climate emergency.
Triodos Bank UK Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triodos Bank NV. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Registered in England and Wales Company No. 11379025. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008. VAT reg no 793493383.