Plans for new onshore windfarms in England have reached their highest annual level in a decade, according to government data analyzed by the Guardian. Renewable energy developers submitted about 45 applications for new projects in the year to March, following the government’s decision to overturn the Conservative Party’s 2015 de facto ban.
Planning Applications Surge Following Policy Shift
Based on the Guardian’s analysis, the volume of onshore wind power capacity entering the planning system has grown by a factor of more than three since Labour removed the restrictions on onshore projects shortly after taking office. Before that election victory, applications for roughly 9 megawatts of onshore wind were submitted in England each month on a 12-month rolling average basis. By the beginning of this year, that rate climbed to about 36MW a month as developers returned to the English market.
This resurgence marks a sharp contrast with the industry’s lowest point in England during the months leading up to September 2023. At that time, before Conservative ministers began loosening regulatory restrictions, onshore wind applications averaged roughly 1MW a month. During that period, the Guardian reported that Ukraine was completing more onshore windfarms than England, despite ongoing military conflict.
Did you know?
Before regulatory changes allowed developers to return, England’s monthly onshore wind application rate averaged just 1MW.
Government Stance and Project Scale Comparisons
A government spokesperson addressed the shift, stating: “For too long, a de facto ban held back onshore wind in England, despite its potential to strengthen our energy security, grow the economy and get bills down for good.” The spokesperson added that the administration lifted the ban, backed the largest onshore windfarm in England in a decade through a renewables auction, and simplified planning rules for small farm and factory turbines no larger than an oak tree.
Recent project approvals reflect a trend toward smaller developments in England compared with Scotland. The Imerys project near St Austell in Cornwall became the largest onshore windfarm in England to secure a government subsidy since the ban was lifted, delivering 20MW of capacity. However, that project is dwarfed by Scottish counterparts.
Data shows that the average onshore windfarm proposed in England since the ban was lifted features just two turbines and delivers 8MW of capacity. By comparison, the average proposed Scottish windfarm over the same timeframe includes nine turbines with 59MW of capacity. Only one windfarm exceeding 100MW has been proposed in England since the ban ended, whereas Scotland has seen 18 proposals exceeding that threshold.
Total onshore wind proposals in England have reached 438MW since the policy change. Over the same period, applications totaled 490MW in Wales and 5,280MW in Scotland, according to the data.
Economic Impacts and Community Benefits
Tara Singh, CEO of RenewableUK, welcomed the renewed activity in England. “Onshore wind is one of the UK’s cheapest sources of new electricity, generating power at around half the cost of new gas-fired generation,” she said, adding that new projects can be built quickly to enhance energy security and lower exposure to volatile global gas prices.
Singh also highlighted local financial returns, noting that community benefit funds worth £5,000 a year for every megawatt of installed capacity help residents invest in local priorities. RenewableUK data indicates that for every £1 in post-tax profit a developer makes, approximately 37p is typically reinvested locally. Furthermore, the trade group estimates that the UK’s onshore wind supply chain could add up to £56bn to the economy by 2050 through increased manufacturing of components like blades, towers, and cables, with about 70% of developer life cycle spending occurring within the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did onshore wind applications increase in England?
Applications rose after the government overturned the previous de facto ban on onshore wind developments and dropped planning blocks.
How do English windfarm proposals compare in size to Scottish projects?
English proposals average two turbines delivering 8MW of capacity, whereas Scottish proposals average nine turbines delivering 59MW of capacity.
What are the economic benefits of onshore wind in local communities?
According to RenewableUK CEO Tara Singh, community benefit funds provide £5,000 annually for every megawatt of installed capacity, and developers typically reinvest about 37p of every £1 of post-tax profit back into the local community.
What are your thoughts on the resurgence of onshore wind power in England? Share your perspective in the comments below, or subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing updates on renewable energy developments.
Keep reading