07/12/2022 | Onshore wind

RenewableUK responds to announcement on planning changes for onshore wind in England

07 December 2022 - RenewableUK press release


Responding to the announcement that the Government has committed to a new policy ending the block on onshore wind in England, RenewableUK’s CEO Dan McGrail said:


“Lifting the de facto ban will mean we can generate more cheap power to help hard-pressed billpayers and cut our dependence on gas. Creating a level playing-field for onshore wind will boost our energy security while ensuring there is local support for new projects, and we look forward to working with Government and communities on the detail of a new approach.


“Backing onshore wind is one of the best solutions to the energy crisis, as projects can be up and running within a year of getting planning permission. Growing the UK’s onshore wind capacity could add £45bn to our economy, grow our domestic renewable supply chain and support the competitiveness of British business”.


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Notes


RenewableUK’s members are building our future energy system, powered by clean electricity. We bring them together to deliver that future faster; a future which is better for industry, billpayers, and the environment. We support over 400 member companies to ensure increasing amounts of renewable electricity are deployed across the UK and to access export markets all over the world. Our members are business leaders, technology innovators, and expert thinkers from right across industry.


The UK currently has 14,200 megawatts (MW) of onshore wind operational which provides 10% of the UK’s power.


Prior to the imposition of the de facto ban on onshore wind in England, annual deployment totalled c-300MW – equivalent to 100-150 turbines per year.


New onshore wind farms contracted this year will generate power at c.£54 per megawatt hour (MWh), in contrast, the wholesale electricity price set by gas under Ofgem’s price cap for this winter is c£280/MWh.


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