New policies are needed to support the repowering of over 8GW of onshore wind in the UK over the next two decades, according to a new report from RenewableUK.
The ‘Onshore Wind: The UK’s Next Generation’ report warns that without support for replacing old turbines with newer models 8.27GW or almost one-fifth of the country’s renewables capacity could be retired over the next 20 years.
The retirement would increase an already 18% gap in low-carbon electricity generation from what is needed to meet 2030 targets, R-UK said.
Under the report’s ‘optimum scenario’, 12GW of replacement onshore wind capacity could be installed, which would help to fill the gap.
That scenario envisages more applications for repowering being approved and more powerful turbines installed.
Under the report’s ‘low scenario’, however, just 2.76GW of new capacity would be installed – a net loss of 5.5GW – due to fewer successful planning applications and smaller turbines being used.
The report calls for government to work with local authorities to bring in supportive policies, including commitments to maintain the current capacity of onshore wind farms in the decades ahead by granting permission for repowering where appropriate.
The report also advocates other options such as upgrading turbines which are already operating, or allowing existing projects to generate for longer than originally envisaged.
R-UK deputy chief executive Emma Pinchbeck said: “This should be an easy win on climate change that cuts emissions and secures cheap power for consumers.
“The public mood is for more urgent action to tackle climate change and this is a concrete example of where government can act to avoid backsliding on progress against our carbon reduction targets.
“We need to see positive policies in place that will keep Britain powered up with clean, affordable electricity.
“Without new policies from government we risk losing huge amounts of renewable energy, so repowering onshore wind is critical to cutting our carbon emissions and closing the looming energy gap.
“Upgrading our infrastructure with modern onshore turbines is good for consumers, as onshore wind is the cheapest form of new electricity available, and brings investment to communities around the UK.”