At a glance
Green finance & loansAsset finance & leasingVenture capital & equityProject financePPA's (Power purchase agreements)
Areas served: United Kingdom & Ireland - England, United Kingdom & Ireland - Scotland, United Kingdom & Ireland - Wales, United Kingdom & Ireland - Northern Ireland, United Kingdom & Ireland - Republic Of Ireland
Overview
SEF provides tailored financing support across a diverse range of sustainable energy sectors, including solar photovoltaic systems, energy efficiency upgrades, biomass, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, combined heat and power systems, and other environmentally sustainable assets. By aligning financial structures with project requirements, SEF helps clients reduce energy costs while improving their overall sustainability performance.
Operating with a client-focused approach, SEF collaborates closely with a broad network of lenders and capital providers. These include institutional investors, private equity firms, infrastructure funds, and specialist financiers. This extensive network allows SEF to structure funding solutions suitable for projects of varying sizes, complexities, and risk profiles.
The company’s core services include finance advisory, funding structuring, and facilitation of funding agreements. SEF supports clients throughout the entire funding lifecycle—from initial project assessment and preparation of funding proposals to lender engagement and final execution of financing arrangements. Its role as a regulated credit brokerage firm ensures that all activities are conducted with professionalism, transparency, and compliance.
Vision
To accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy technologies by enabling access to effective and appropriate financing solutions that support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Mission
To facilitate funding for sustainable energy initiatives by delivering tailored finance brokerage and advisory services that empower clients to implement renewable energy systems, enhance energy efficiency, and contribute to the development of a more sustainable, low-carbon future.
Services
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Finance
Finance & Funding · PPA's (Power purchase agreements)
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Finance enables organisations to install renewable energy systems without upfront capital investment. Under this model, a third-party funder finances, owns, and maintains the renewable energy system, while the client purchases the electricity generated at a pre-agreed rate over a defined contract period. This allows organisations to benefit from renewable energy while avoiding capital expenditure and ownership responsibilities.
- Fully funded renewable energy system installation with no upfront capital cost
- Long-term electricity purchase agreement with predictable energy pricing
- System ownership and maintenance managed by the funder
- Immediate access to renewable energy without operational responsibility
- Supports carbon reduction and sustainability goals
- Suitable for single-site and multi-site deployments
Asset Finance
Finance & Funding · Asset finance & leasing
Asset finance enables organisations to acquire renewable energy systems or energy efficiency equipment through structured finance arrangements. This allows clients to spread the cost of equipment over time rather than making a full upfront investment.
- Enables acquisition of renewable energy and energy efficiency assets
- Structured repayment terms aligned with project cash flow
- Supports installation of solar PV, lighting upgrades, EV charging, and other equipment
- Allows organisations to benefit from energy savings while paying overtime
- Supports deployment of sustainable infrastructure
Project Finance
Finance & Funding · Project finance
Project finance enables funding for renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure projects based on project performance and expected returns. This type of finance supports larger infrastructure or multi-site deployments.
- Supports funding of renewable energy and infrastructure projects
- Structured financing aligned with project performance
- Enables deployment of solar PV, CHP, EV infrastructure, and energy efficiency upgrades
- Facilitates funding for large-scale or complex energy projects
- Enables project development without requiring full capital investment upfront
Case Studies
Scale Solar Rollout for a Major Pub Chain
Marston’s PLC · United Kingdom (nationwide Pub chain)
Sustainable Energy Finance (SEF) supported Marston’s PLC, a leading UK pub chain, in delivering a large-scale solar energy rollout across 120 sites. The project, valued at approximately £5.4 million, aimed to integrate renewable energy solutions into the client’s operations to reduce energy costs and enhance sustainability performance. Given the scale and geographic spread of the portfolio, the project required a carefully structured financing solution to ensure efficient deployment.
Solution: Structured a bespoke funding package tailored to a multi-site deployment Leveraged its network of lenders to secure competitive financing terms Enabled portfolio-level financing rather than site-by-site funding Likely incorporated asset finance and/or PPA structures to optimise cash flow Provided end-to-end support, including funding structuring and execution
Outcome: Successful deployment of solar energy systems across 120 pubs Reduced energy costs and improved operational efficiency Strengthened sustainability and ESG credentials for Marston’s PLC Enabled long-term cost savings through renewable energy adoption Demonstrated scalability of funded clean energy solutions
Commercial Solar Installation for Industrial Client
Steel Build Ltd (via Chiltern Solar) · Bedford, United Kingdom
Sustainable Energy Finance (SEF) supported Steel Build Ltd, in partnership with installer Chiltern Solar, to deliver a 162 kWp roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The project was designed to help the industrial client reduce energy costs and transition toward more sustainable operations. SEF provided a fully funded financing solution, enabling the installation without requiring upfront capital from the client.
Solution: • Structured a bespoke financing package covering 100% of system costs • Eliminated the need for upfront investment • Leveraged its network of lenders to secure suitable funding terms • Enabled flexible repayment aligned with energy cost savings • Supported coordination between client and installer partner
Outcome: • Successful deployment of a 162 kWp solar PV system • Reduced operational energy costs through renewable generation • Lower carbon emissions and improved sustainability performance • Preserved working capital for business operations • Strengthened long-term energy cost predictability and resilience
Energy Efficiency Upgrade for Education Institution
Mount St. Mary’s College · United Kingdom (two campuses)
Sustainable Energy Finance (SEF) supported Mount St. Mary’s College in delivering energy efficiency upgrades across its two campuses. The project included LED lighting improvements and boiler replacement, aimed at enhancing energy performance, reducing operational costs, and modernising aging infrastructure. SEF enabled the institution to implement these upgrades through a fully funded financing solution, removing the need for upfront capital expenditure.
Solution: • Structured a bespoke financing package covering full project costs • Eliminated upfront capital requirements • Enabled cost savings to support repayment structures • Leveraged lender network to secure suitable funding terms • Provided end-to-end support throughout the funding process
Outcome: • Successful implementation of energy efficiency upgrades • Reduced energy consumption and utility costs • Lower carbon footprint and improved sustainability credentials • Modernised infrastructure with improved performance • Long-term operational savings and enhanced cost predictability
