The UK Government has announced that onshore wind projects above 100MW in England will be reintroduced into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime from spring 2025.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) stated the change will come into effect from spring 2025, a decade after wind farms were removed from the NSIP.
MHCLG also confirmed onshore solar projects above 100MW would now be considered through the NSIP regime, bringing welcome alignment across onshore renewables.
Responding to the announcement, which forms part of wider reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), RenewableUK’s Head of Policy, James Robottom said: “Today’s announcement is the final part of truly lifting the onshore wind ban in England and further underlines the new Government’s determination to unlock its potential.
“It not only emphasises the critical role that onshore wind must play in reaching our clean power targets but also strikes a balance between smaller onshore wind projects decided locally and central decision-making for larger nationally significant projects.
“The NSIP process will provide greater certainty on planning timelines and play a vital role in ensuring we can unlock investment for new onshore wind projects in England.
“Whether an onshore project is taken through the local planning route, or through the national regime for larger projects, communities will be thoroughly consulted on any proposals, including the wide range of socioeconomic benefits they will bring to the surrounding area.
“Embedding onshore wind in local guidance and into the National Policy Statements (NPS) framework will be the crucial next step to ensure that we are able to develop the industry and make the most of our superb natural wind resources.”
The news follows the Government’s commitment to increase onshore wind deployment by 2030, with the Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce (ONWIT) established in July 2024 to identify and then deliver the actions needed to accelerate this, with RenewableUK as a key member.