The UK Government has published its Onshore Wind Strategy, setting out more than 40 measures to double onshore wind capacity to 29GW by 2030 and revive growth following years of policy stagnation.
The strategy, developed in partnership with industry, was welcomed by both RenewableUK and Scottish Renewables as a “strong signal of intent” to accelerate project deployment and address key bottlenecks such as planning, grid access and radar constraints.
James Robottom, head of onshore wind delivery at RenewableUK, said: “This strategy by government and industry sets an ambitious target to almost double the UK’s onshore wind capacity by the end of the decade as a key part of the Government’s Clean Power by 2030 mission.”
He added that the lifting of the de facto ban in England marked only the beginning of efforts to rebuild momentum in the sector.
“The measures outlined will increase confidence among investors and developers, so that we can attract billions in private investment and create thousands of highly-skilled jobs and new supply chains all over the country,” said Robottom.
He also backed the creation of a new Onshore Wind Council to oversee delivery and urged ministers to maximise capacity through the next two Contracts for Difference auctions.
Claire Mack, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said the strategy reaffirms “how central the Scottish onshore wind sector will be to the UK’s clean power journey”.
She said: “Onshore wind is a cost-effective source of clean energy that can be deployed at pace, supporting skilled jobs and tangible community benefit.”
Mack added that joint UK-Scottish action on planning reform, aviation constraints and grid connections will “boost onshore wind deployment” and build on last year’s Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal, which targets 20GW of capacity north of the border by 2030.
Scottish Renewables data shows the sector supports more than 16,800 jobs and contributes £6.4bn to the Scottish economy.