The UK Government has held the first meeting of the Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce.
The Taskforce has been established to identify and then deliver the actions needed to accelerate onshore wind deployment to 2030 and beyond.
The meeting was chaired by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and EDF Renewables chief executive for the UK and Ireland Matthieu Hue.
Hue said: “Onshore wind is already playing a vital role in the UK and is one of the most cost-effective forms of new electricity generation but more must be done to unlock its full potential.
“By bringing industry and government together, the taskforce is focused on creating practical solutions to overcome barriers to accelerate our journey to achieving net zero. So, let’s get to work.”
Gillian Noble, ScottishPower Renewables’ development managing director, who participated in the meeting, added: “It was great to see such positive commitment from both Government and industry to realising the full potential of onshore wind.
“Our success in building onshore windfarms shows the difference this can make – from jobs, investment and supply chain opportunities to clean, green energy security and tens of millions in community benefit.
“We’ve always been a champion for onshore wind and welcome the chance to contribute to the roadmap that will give it a new lease of life.”
The Taskforce brings together key organisations from government, industry, regulatory and other relevant bodies to drive forward the increases in onshore wind needed to meet 2030 deployment ambitions.
The objectives of the group are to unlock the barriers to deployment that onshore wind developers face; ensure sustainability; capture the benefits; and commit to action.