Small independent wind farm developers are expected to be the big winners from renewable energy financing of up to £1.4bn ($2.3bn) agreed by the European Investment Bank on Tuesday.

Smaller developers have felt the squeeze in the downturn, as credit lines and project financing dried up rapidly last year and have not returned. The new money, in the form of loans, will be directed towards wind farms expected to cost between £20m and £100m to construct.