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Renewable Environmental Investments

Our vision is to support businesses to harness the potential of a technology and social revolution.
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Right now, a renewable revolution is taking place.

This change will alter the way we produce and consume resources.

This has triggered an unprecedented opportunity for innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and local communities combined.

Investment Approach

Our Approach

Formally RBE, Renewable Environmental Investments Ltd (REIL) are a private investment company.

Based out of Richmond Yorkshire, Darlington and London, we invest private capital and provide hands-on support to businesses which tackle the challenges we face as a society today. Providing energy security, combating climate change, reducing waste, improving technology efficiencies, bringing down costs to consumers and ensuring a planet for future generations.

Our founders have over 40-years combined experience operating in the renewables and environmental sectors, they are serial entrepreneurs having created hundreds of jobs both locally and internationally.

Today REIL has over £150m of assets under management across ten businesses operating in waste recycling, renewable energy, and technology development sectors.

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Sectors

Solar

During 2020 in the UK the Met Office reported it has probably been the sunniest April on record and that solar power recorded its highest ever production of electricity (9.7GW) or around 1/6 of UK peak demand at 12:30 on Monday 20 April 2020.

Wind

The UK is a world leader in offshore wind, powering 4.5 million homes. Offshore wind will surge to over 234 GW by 2030, led by Asia-Pacific. GWEC Market Intelligence forecasts that through 2030, more than 205 GW of new offshore wind capacity will be added globally.

Battery Storage

Energy storage is key for incorporating renewables into grid. Innovative energy storage solutions will play an important role in ensuring the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid in the EU at the lowest cost, according to a new study published by the European Commission.

Electric Vehicles

All new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned from sale from 2030. The Electric Vehicles Market is projected to reach 26,951,318 units by 2030 from an estimated 3,269,671 units in 2019, at a CAGR of 21.1% during the forecast period.

Waste Recycling

The average person generates about 1.5 tons of solid waste per year. Around 75% of the UK waste stream is recyclable, but we only recycle about 30% of it.

Water & Drainage

February 2020 was the wettest on record and May 2020 was one of the driest, highlighting the impact that climate change will have on weather patterns in the UK. Water supply and flood defence is a key challange to our homes today.

Why We Do It ​

2016 was the warmest year on record due to CO2 emissions.
2017 UK imports of energy were almost twice as large as its exports.
2019 the UK Government set legally binding target for Net Zero emissions by 2050.
2020 is set to be a record year for renewable electricity additions by over 50% globally.
February 2021 was the wettest on record and May 2021 was one of the driest, highlighting the impact that climate change will have on weather patterns in the UK. Water supply and flood defence is a key challenges to our homes today.

2022 Europe was facing an energy crisis, with spiralling costs of importing gas and commodity pricing reaching record highs due to global conflicts. Domestic production is essential for both power generation and recovery of rare earth materials.

Our Team

15-years as CEO, Executive or Chair within Renewables sector
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10-years in Tech & Renewables as Company Director
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15-years as Director in Recycling and Environmental businesses

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James Ritchie
CEO & Founder
Jack Simpson
COO & Investor
Ian Bainbridge
Director & Investor

11-years as a corporate lawyer with extensive experience in M&A, group reorganisations, shareholder and joint venture agreements. Daniel is currently a Partner at Knights plc.

Award winning financial professional with over 14-years experience through Ernst & Young & Anderson Barrowcliff. James is a chartered accountant with multiple degrees across finance and law.

Daniel Flounders, LLB
Legal Counsel
James Dale, FCCA
Corporate Finance & Accounts

Our Portfolio

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REIL Renewables

REIL Renewables develop and invest in all renewables technology, including wind, solar and battery energy storage assets within the UK, to create a sustainable renewable energy future for all. 

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Harmony Energy
A leading UK renewable developer in Onshore Wind, Solar and large scale Batttery Energy storage Systems. To-date the business has over 1GW of pipeline.
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Advanced Electric Machines​
Deliver the most sustainable electric powertrain technologies in the world with market leading performance, removing rare earth materials with no compromise.
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tepeo
Innovative technology for a Zero Emission Boiler (ZEB) this technology is revolutionising the way we heat our homes by electrifying the heating system.
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REIL Innovations

REIL Innovations looks for technology start-ups with commercial opportunities in Renewables and Environmental businesses.

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Innoflow

Innoflow are an innovative solutions provider to the water and wastewater industry.

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Harmony Income Trust
An investment company that invests in commercial scale energy storage and renewable energy generation projects.
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REIL Recycling

A UK-focused recycling group with an ambition to grow.

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GAP Group
Ritchie Bland Energy Limited invests in Gateshead waste management business GAP Group (NE) Limited who plans to double in size to £30m following this multi-million pound investment.
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Plasterboard Recycling Group

REIL Recycling (part of Renewable Environmental Investments Ltd) has the pleasure of investing in Plasterboard Recycling Group Ltd (PRG), which is planning major national expansion.

Latest News

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If You Have Any Query, Please Feel Free To Contact Us.
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More Information

  • Tekmar Energy
  • Agiletek Engineering
  • Subsea Innovation
  • Tekmar Group Plc
  • Pipeshield International
  • Chairman of Energi Coas
  • Ritchie-Bland Energy
  • Harmony Energy

History

  • Harmony Energy JV
  • Innoflow
  • Tekmar Group Plc
  • 1Visual
  • REIL
  • Plasterboard Group
  • Easby Ltd
  • GAP Urban Metals
  • GAP Renew
  • Shanghai Tekmar Co.
  • Tekmar Energy
  • The Vehicle Group

More Information

  • Agricore
  • Emerald BIoGas
  • Richmond Solar
  • Ritchie-Bland Energy
  • GAP Group North East
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Core Business:

Renewable energy project developer and investor.

Investment Date:

3rd June 2020

Investment Entity:

Ritchie-Bland Energy (Number 2) Ltd

Based out of Richmond, North Yorkshire, REIL renewables is the trading name of Ritchie-Bland Energy (Number 2) Ltd, directly investing in renewable energy projects.

REIL renewables develop and invest in all renewables technology, including wind, solar and battery energy storage assets within the UK, to create a sustainable renewable energy future for all. 

We have a target for 1GW/2GHW of Battery (BESS) and 1 GW of Solar projects within the UK. 

Under a joint venture with Harmony Energy to date, we have shovel-ready projects totalling;

  • 30 MW of Solar 
  • 200 MW / 400 MWh of BESS 
  • and 15 additional special purpose vehicles (SPV’s) for 1 GW with grid secured awaiting final planning.

In November 2022, Our flagship project Skeeby Solar, within Richmond, North Yorkshire, under a joint venture with Harmony Energy, secured planning for a 40 MW solar farm with combined batteries. The site will deliver enough power for 11,455 homes, offsetting 21,150 tonnes of CO2 per year and providing a Biodiversity Net Gain of 118%.

Core Business:
A UK leading developer in utility-scale renewable projects including a specific focus on large scale battery energy storage (BESS).
Website:
Investment Date:

13th October 2020

Investment Entity:

Ritchie-Bland Energy (Number 1) Ltd

Ritchie-Bland Energy Limited (RBE) is pleased to announce that it has made an investment, acquiring shares in Harmony Energy Limited (HEL).

Based out of Yorkshire HEL is a UK leading developer in utility-scale renewable projects including a specific focus on large scale battery energy storage (BESS). 

The business has a history in the development of onshore wind with over 15-sites developed. Recently the business in partnership with FRV delivered a BESS project in Dorset becoming the first company in the UK to utilise the Tesla Megapack, with a total capacity of 15MWh, this site is also the first in the UK to use Tesla’s ‘Autobidder’ AI software. Further, Harmony has an additional 500MW of BESS sites that are construction-ready in the UK, with another 200MW in planning and over 200MW of ongoing opportunities within solar. 

Under the transaction RBE has acquired a 22.5% equity stake and will, be providing a long-term rolling credit facility to support the capital investment required for the rapid expansion of the development pipeline. James Ritchie (Former CEO of Tekmar Group Plc and Chairman of Energi Coast) has been appointed as a director onto the board to support the ongoing strategy of the business. 

Peter Kavanagh, CEO of HESL, said: “We welcome James and Ritchie Bland Energy into the Harmony family. We believe as an investor RBE can bring the right support and experience we need to accelerate the development of our pipeline and further help expand the business globally as we continue to build, own and operate utility-scale renewable assets. The world is looking towards a greener, more sustainable energy transition, and this is a clear focus Harmony will be supporting.” 

James Ritchie, CEO of RBE, said “It’s a privilege to be working with the Harmony team and joining the board. Harmony has developed a very impressive pipeline of both Solar and Battery projects, demonstrating a unique understanding of the complex energy market, and are working with some big names in the industry like Tesla and FRV. We hope together we can continue to develop and expand the pipeline of projects to support the UK on its journey to net-zero.”

Core Business:
AEM deliver the most sustainable electric powertrain technologies in the world with market leading performance, removing rare earth materials with no compromise.
Website:
Investment Date:

26th November 2020

Investment Entity:

Renewable Environmental Investments Ltd

RBE makes a debut in the EV market. Ritchie Bland Energy Limited (RBE) is pleased to announce that it has made an investment, acquiring shares in Advanced Electric Machines (AEML).

James Widmer, CEO of AEM, said “Advanced Electric Machines Group is delighted to have Ritchie Bland Energy Ltd join us as investors. RBE’s mission to invest in environmentally sustainable technologies is entirely complementary to our goal of developing and manufacturing their world’s most sustainable electric motor solutions. We are looking forward to working with RBE as a partner as well as an investor.”

James Ritchie, CEO of RBE, said ” Investing in EV technology is a key part of our strategy as the world looks to replace combustion engines quicker to support the environment. Although we only have a small initial stake, we hope to be able to invest further and support the ambitious growth aspirations of the AEM team.” 

Background: 

Founded in 2017 by James Widmer, AEM originally spun out from Newcastle University and is now a leading UK North-East based technology and manufacturing business. AEM deliver the most sustainable electric powertrain technologies in the world with market-leading performance, removing rare earth materials with no compromise. 

Founded in 2020 by James Ritchie, Ritchie Bland Energy is a Yorkshire based privately funded investment company supporting entrepreneurs and technology businesses that are within the renewable energy industry. Currently, the business is involved in; technology start-up’s within Offshore Wind, Solar development in Yorkshire and Investment in Energy Storage Solutions.

Core Business:
Renewable Technology in low and zero carbon heating solutions.
Website:
Investment Date:

27th July 2021

Investment Entity:

Renewable Environmental Investments Ltd

RBE joins £2.5m investment round in tepeo

Ritchie-Bland Energy Limited (RBE) joins £2.5m investment round in clean tech company, tepeo to support commercialisation of its Zero Emission Boiler for the domestic heating market.

Ritchie-Bland Energy, a Yorkshire-based privately funded investment company supporting entrepreneurs and technology businesses that are within the renewable energy industry, has joined the Clean Growth Fund and others in a £2.5m investment round in tepeo, a British clean technology company that has developed a low-cost, easy-to-install low carbon boiler. It is Ritchie-Bland Energy’s first investment in low carbon heating, a sector that is set to grow significantly over the next decade as homeowners are encouraged to replace their gas boilers with low carbon alternatives.

tepeo’s Zero Emission Boiler (ZEB) is a drop-in replacement for a gas or oil boiler that similarly heats water to 60-80°C and works with any thermostat. It has been designed to be affordable while supporting the transition to a low carbon electricity grid.

Installing a ZEB involves little or no disruption for the homeowner as there’s no need to change any aspect of a home’s existing central heating system; it will use the same radiators, same pipework and same insulation. Plumbing-in a ZEB and the electrical connections are straightforward tasks for qualified heating and electrical engineers.

The ZEB has a ceramic core which acts as a heat battery, with smart tech that controls when it is charged up using highly efficient electric resistive heating elements. The heat can then be released in a controlled manner using tepeo’s patent-pending heat transfer technology as needed. This means that the ZEB can decouple electricity demand from heating demand and take advantage of green and/or variable (“time-of-use”) electricity tariffs. The charge cycle of the ZEB is automatically optimised to minimise cost and carbon.

The ZEB is therefore a flexible asset and tepeo has developed software which can aggregate a fleet of ZEBs at scale which could then provide grid flexibility services with the potential for ZEB owners to directly benefit from the value created.

Johan du Plessis, founder and CEO of tepeo and inventor of the ZEB, said: “We are really pleased that Ritchie-Bland Energy is included among the investors in this funding round.”

“We have carried out successful trials of the ZEB in a range of house types, and with this welcome investment, we are in a strong position to launch our commercial ZEB in the autumn and extend our product range. We are initially targeting all types of dwellings of up to three bedrooms, but we intend to market future models to larger homes too.”

“Importantly, the ZEB will cost roughly half the price of a heat pump and we are confident that as we scale-up our manufacturing, the cost of the ZEB will drop and be competitive with the lifecycle cost of a typical gas boiler, so making the consumer’s decision to replace their gas boiler that much easier.”

James Ritchie, CEO of RBE said: “Decarbonising the heating of buildings is a huge obstacle to the UK achieving Net Zero – RBE believes that the market for low carbon heating is therefore poised to grow rapidly. We believe tepeo’s ZEB is uniquely placed to take advantage and we are pleased to support the commercialisation of their technology.”

The ZEB that will be launched later this year is a replacement for a regular or system boiler which works for homes with a separate hot water tank. tepeo intends to develop two other versions of its ZEB: a ‘combi’ version that does not require a separate water tank and a larger capacity ZEB suitable for larger homes.

WhatsApp Image 2022-11-09 at 2.20.38 PM (1)
Core Business:

Investment and management support in Innovative start-up businesses.

Investment Date:

9th July 2021

Investment Entity:

REIL Innovations Ltd

REIL Innovations looks for technology start-ups with commercial opportunities in Renewables and Environmental businesses.

REIL innovations (Part of Renewable Environmental Investments Group) directors have years of experience and background in transforming innovative technology into real commercial opportunities.

The directors founded the likes of Tekmar Group PLC, Emerald Biogas, Subsea Innovations, Innoflow, Agiletek Engineering, Harmony Energy Income Trust PLC, 1 Visual, PRG Group.

Core Business:
Technology provider to the water and waste water industries.
Website:
Investment Date:

24th September 2021

Investment Entity:

REIL Innovations Ltd

Innoflow are an innovative solutions provider to the water and wastewater industry.

Innoflow was established in 2021 borne out of a 5 year collaboration with Northumbrian Water Group working within innovative and disruptive technologies for the water sector. Its management team comes from over 45 years’ experience working within the water, automotive and offshore cable and pipe lay industries. Innoflow have developed a novel and patented technology, LaySAFE®, which connects onto a pipe coil installation trailer and addresses a major safety concern relating to the safe handling and installation of coiled pipes.

Core Business:
Investments in commercial scale energy storage and renewable energy generation projects.
Website:
Investment Date:
05.11.2021
Investment Entity:

Ritchie-Bland Energy (Number 2) Ltd

Harmony Energy Income Trust plc (the Company) is an investment company that invests in commercial scale energy storage and renewable energy generation projects, with an initial focus on a diversified portfolio of battery energy storage systems (BESS) located in Great Britain.

Harmony Energy Income Trust plc (HEIT) is an investment company that invests in commercial scale energy storage and renewable energy generation projects, with an initial focus on a diversified portfolio of battery energy storage systems (BESS) located in Great Britain. The Company will be managed by Harmony Energy Advisors Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Harmony Energy.

​The Company has listed on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, issuing 210m shares at a price of £1 each. The issue of shares raised gross proceeds of £186.5 million through a Placing and Offer for Subscription, and the Company has issued 23.5 million shares in connection with the acquisition of the Seed Portfolio from Harmony Energy.

​The Seed Portfolio acquired by HEIT contains five BESS ‘shovel ready’ projects with an aggregate storage capacity of 213.5 MW (427 MWh), with an additional 99MW (198 MWh) advanced project to be acquired in due course, taking the total initial portfolio to 312.5 MW (625 MWh). HEIT will have exclusive rights to acquire a pipeline of BESS projects of up to aggregate capacity of 687.5 MW that are already within Harmony Energy’s control. This will take HEIT’s initial target portfolio to 1 GW. The Company has further preferential rights over Harmony Energy’s future projects.

​Max Slade, Commercial Director of Harmony Energy Advisors Limited, said: “We thank investors for the support shown throughout the process and now look forward to building out our Seed Portfolio with Tesla in line with our pre-defined timeline. Never has there been more focus on the need for a greener, more sustainable way of living. Battery storage, acting as an enabler for renewable energy generation, is key to the transition to net zero. Now is the time to bring battery energy storage projects online in scale to help facilitate the transition to net zero and the Company is well-placed with its exclusive pipeline of future projects to be a key player in this market.”

WhatsApp Image 2022-11-09 at 2.06.10 PM
Core Business:

Investment and management support in recycling & waste recovery businesses.

Investment Date:

8th July 2021

Investment Entity:

REIL Recycling Ltd

A UK-focused recycling group with an ambition to grow.

At REIL, we believe that recycling is a better alternative to mining. Therefore, we invest in and support companies focused on recycling to help them grow and deliver a sustainable future for all.

Currently, we are invested in and sit on the board of directors within;

We look for businesses offering synergistic benefits, high growth, and technology differentiation opportunities.

Core Business:

Recycling & waste resource recovery.

Website:
Investment Date:
01.12.2021
Investment Entity:

REIL Recycling Ltd

Ritchie Bland Energy Limited invests in Gateshead waste management business GAP Group (NE) Limited who plans to double in size to £30m following this multi-million pound investment.

Waste management business GAP Group (NE) Limited has received a multi-million pound investment supporting ambitious plans to double in size to over £30m turnover within three years.

The Gateshead based recycling and reprocessing business’s managing director Peter Moody and Ian Bainbridge a director of North Yorkshire renewables and environmental technology investment company

Ritchie Bland Energy Limited (RBE), agreed the investment in early December.

GAP’s Peter Moody said: “We’re very excited at the prospect of working with Ian Bainbridge and the team at RBE with their excellent key sector knowledge and experience of making these kinds of strategic investments.

“This investment represents the culmination of a lot of hard work from the staff and leadership team here at GAP over many years. We’re delighted that RBE has clearly understood our achievements so far and the future potential. It will allow us to push on and rapidly get to the next scalable stage of our growth with our shared ambition to achieve truly national coverage and become the market leader.

“The plans will see GAP expanding the capacity at its site in Gateshead by 4000square metres, investing in additional materials separation equipment, such as in leading technology that will enable precious metals and other materials to be efficiently reclaimed from recycled circuit boards and other WEEE, together with a significant expansion of our fleet of logistics vehicles.

“We will be looking across the UK for opportunities to open and operate new sites as a key part of our commitment to achieving national coverage.

“The electrical waste and resource recovery sector is a rapidly growing and important area of focus which will only increase as precious rare earth metals become more and more crucial to the economy and their reuse to protecting the environment.”

RBE has offices in Richmond and Darlington and a successful background in leading and investing in renewable energy and environmental companies and climate change businesses.

Ian Bainbridge, one of four directors at RBE, said: “We have a lot experience and a great interest in this challenging and growing sector and Peter and his team have distinguished themselves over many years by showing great foresight, determination and prudent reinvestment to put themselves in the position they are in now, poised for further growth.

Core Business:

Recycling of plasterboard and manufacturer of gypsum based products.

Website:
Investment Date:

21.10.2022

Investment Entity:

REIL Recycling Ltd

REIL Recycling (part of Renewable Environmental Investments Ltd) has the pleasure of investing in Plasterboard Recycling Group Ltd (PRG), which is planning major national expansion.

PRG is the UK’s leading plasterboard recycling company. Founded in 2011 by CEO Ian Bainbridge, the business operates across three sites within the UK with plans to open the largest fourth site with the new investment at Avonmouth.

Once operational, the company will increase capacity from 225,000t annually to 325,000t. The company currently employs around 50 staff and is fully accredited to ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 for QHSE.

Ian, Technical Director, said, “Within PRG, our focus is on continual technical improvement and excellent customer service. We are investing in new technology at Avonmouth which will help serve long term gypsum offtake contracts as well as ensuring 100% diversion of waste from landfill and with the new investment from REIL supporting the planned site coming online, we move closer to delivering this vision.”