2026 Sustainability and ESG Report
Summary by AI BETAClose X
LEI: 213800ZPHCBDDSQH5447
22 June 2026
NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited
("NESF" or the "Company")
2026 Sustainability and ESG Report
NextEnergy Solar Fund, a leading specialist investor in solar and energy storage, has today published its annual standalone Sustainability and ESG Report ("Report") for the year ended 31 March 2026, and announced its designation as a Natural Capital Fund by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission ("GFSC").
The Report is available to download from the Sustainability and ESG Reports section of the Company's website or via the following link: [2026 Sustainability and ESG Report].
Background:
The purpose of the Report is to inform NESF stakeholders of the Company's approach to sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") factors, how it executes its strategy, and how it creates impact. The Report is designed to be read in conjunction with the NESF Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2026.
The intent of the integrated disclosures in the Report is to provide consistent, decision-useful information on sustainability and ESG issues to investors and other users of the Company's Annual Report. As such the Report makes disclosures in alignment with the General ("S1") and Climate ("S2") standards of the International Sustainability Standards Board ("ISSB") IFRS, as well as the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures ("TNFD").
Key ESG highlights:
· Climate:
o Generated 844GWh of clean electricity, enough to power c.256,714 homes for a year.
o Avoided c.275,583 tonnes of carbon emissions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
o c.96% of the portfolio is not exposed to material physical climate risks, demonstrating strong asset resilience.
o Released its first Climate Transition Plan which sets out the Company's ambition to progressively decarbonise NESF's portfolio across both its operations and value chain.
· Nature:
o 68% of land under management is now restored or rehabilitated, supporting improved biodiversity.
o 89% of land is actively managed for both energy generation and nature ("dual use"), well ahead of long‑term targets.
o 100% of sensitive sites are covered by dedicated Nature Management Plans, protecting ecosystems where it matters most.
· People:
o Board gender diversity 60:40 (female/male).
o c.£167,000 community and charitable funding.
· Reporting:
o Maintained EU Article 9 classification, reflecting a core objective of sustainable investment, and continued reporting alignment with the ISSB and TNFD.
· Recognition:
o Achieved Natural Capital Fund designation from the GFSC, a regulated recognition of measurable positive environmental impact.
Approach to sustainability and ESG reporting:
There are three key priority areas in the NESF Sustainability and ESG Framework: People, Nature and Prosperity. Each priority area is underpinned by three focus topics as set out in the NESF Sustainability and ESG framework. These priority areas and topics are the result of a double materiality assessment undertaken in 2023. These areas remain a priority for the Company. The Framework structures NESF's approach to creating positive sustainability and ESG outcomes alongside generating long-term total returns.
The Company's reporting strategy aligns with the Framework's priority areas and those of the ISSB and TNFD, ensuring stakeholders receive decision-useful insights into its performance. The information NESF discloses includes climate and nature-related considerations across its construction activities, direct operations, and value chain. NESF also reports on key people topics, such as health and safety, diversity, equity and inclusion, community engagement, and human rights.
Natural Capital Fund designation:
In February 2026, the GFSC recognised the Company's long‑standing commitment to delivering measurable benefits for nature while generating investor value and awarded the Company one of its first Natural Capital Fund designations.
This designation puts the Company at the forefront of nature‑positive renewable investment and reporting and represents an important milestone for the renewable infrastructure sector, recognising the role that well-managed solar assets can play in delivering measurable natural capital outcomes.
Josephine Bush, Chair of the NESF Board's ESG Committee, said:
"NESF continues to play an important role in the energy transition, providing resilient, domestically generated renewable power in an increasingly uncertain world. During the year, the Company made meaningful progress in delivering its sustainability strategy, including publishing its first Climate Transition Plan and achieving Natural Capital Fund designation, recognising its positive contribution to the environment. With a strong framework in place, NESF is well positioned to manage climate and nature-related risks while capturing the opportunities arising from the energy transition and delivering long-term value for shareholders."
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For further information:
NextEnergy Capital
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020 3746 0700
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Michael Bonte-Friedheim |
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Ross Grier |
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Stephen Rosser |
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Peter Hamid (Investor Relations) |
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RBC Capital Markets |
020 7653 4000 |
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Matthew Coakes |
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Kathryn Deegan |
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Cavendish |
020 7908 6000 |
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Robert Peel |
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H/Advisors |
020 7379 5151 |
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Neil Bennett |
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Finlay Donaldson |
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Ocorian Administration (Guernsey) Limited |
014 8174 2642 |
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Kevin Smith |
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Notes to Editors 1:
About NextEnergy Solar Fund
NextEnergy Solar Fund is a specialist solar energy and energy storage investment company that is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.
NextEnergy Solar Fund's investment objective is to provide Ordinary Shareholders with attractive long-term total returns, principally in the form of regular dividends, by investing in a diversified portfolio of utility-scale solar energy and energy storage infrastructure assets. The majority of NESF's long-term cash flows are inflation-linked via UK government subsidies.
As at 31 March 2026, the Company had an audited gross asset value of £922m. For further information please visit www.nextenergysolarfund.com
Article 9 Fund
NextEnergy Solar Fund is classified under Article 9 of the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation and EU Taxonomy Regulation. NextEnergy Solar Fund's sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector are in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 and can be accessed on the ESG section of both the NextEnergy Solar Fund and NextEnergy Capital websites.
About NextEnergy Group
NextEnergy Solar Fund is managed by NextEnergy Capital, part of the NextEnergy Group. NextEnergy Group was founded in 2007 to become a leading market participant in the international solar sector which now employs over 400 professionals. Since its inception, NextEnergy Group has been active in the development, construction, and ownership of solar assets across multiple jurisdictions. NextEnergy Group operates via its three business units: NextEnergy Capital (Investment Management), WiseEnergy (Operating Asset Management), and Starlight (Asset Development).
· NextEnergy Capital: has over 18 years of specialist solar expertise having invested in over 530 individual solar plants across the world. NextEnergy Capital currently manages four institutional funds with a total capacity in excess of 4GW+ and has funds under management of c. $4.8bn. More information is available at www.nextenergycapital.com
· WiseEnergy®: is a leading specialist operating asset manager in the solar sector. Since its founding, WiseEnergy has provided solar asset management, monitoring and technical due diligence services to over 1,600 utility-scale solar power plants with an installed capacity in excess of 3.5GW. More information is available at www.wise-energy.com
· Starlight: has developed over 100 utility-scale projects internationally and continues to progress a large pipeline of c.9GW of both green and brownfield project developments across global geographies. More information is available at www.starlight-energy.com
Notes:
1: All financial data is audited at 31 March 2026, being the latest date in respect of which NextEnergy Solar Fund has published financial information.
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