Gallagher-owned managing general agent Pen Underwriting is looking to deepen its cover for the anaerobic digestion (AD) sector, at a time when brokers say insurance appetite for the technology has lagged behind its spread across the UK.
The MGA formally entered renewable energy in November 2025 with a dedicated AD product. Its Commercial Combined wording brings the property, business interruption and liability exposures faced by AD operators into a single policy.
It is aimed at a broad range of sites, including wastewater treatment plants, animal and farming waste facilities, food and drink production sites, landfills and recycling facilities.
Pen describes AD as a limited and highly specialised segment, and says the wording is intended to widen broker choice. AD, which turns organic waste into energy and produces by-products such as fertiliser, remains one of the more under-served areas of renewable energy insurance.
The need is most visible on farms. Agricultural brokers have told Insurance Business UK that solar panels, battery storage and AD units are becoming increasingly common among their clients. Some underwriters, though, treat these technologies with a caution that brokers consider out of proportion to claims experience.
Pen now plans to grow its AD specialism, expand risk management-led propositions for the waste-to-energy industry and move into other areas of renewable energy, although it has not said which additional classes it will write. Commercial director for hazardous goods and environmental industries Andy Dixon said growing the renewable energy proposition is a key strategic priority.
To support the push, the MGA has appointed Petra Votzakis as renewable energy underwriter. She joins from Allianz's engineering, construction and power business, where she underwrote UK onshore renewable power risks including solar, wind, hydro and AD.
