Ban lifted on onshore winds – but are ambitious growth targets achievable?

Back in summer our new chancellor, Rachel Reeves announced a lift on the de facto ban on onshore wind. This lift is part of a shift in strategy that places more emphasis on energy independence, and it is heartening to see that the first step here is to bolster the UK’s renewable output.

What this means in practice is that National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has been simplified, removing specific hurdles that previously existed for onshore wind developments. After these changes wind planning applications will no longer be subject to such stringent planning tests, bringing it in line with out forms of energy generation.

The government has committed to doubling onshore wind and quadrupling offshore wind energy by 2030. While in theory it seems that simply building more windfarms will naturally lead to more wind energy generated, there are other factors at play that will require a lot of work to make these ambitious plans a reality.

Following the announcement, we now know that at least six renewable energy companies have already begun prospecting for new wind farms in England, however, analysts are reticent to predict that labour will meet their growth targets. While there is a large degree of interest, the approval process will still take some time.

Onshore wind farms can take up to seven years to develop, and if there is not a grid connection readily available it is very difficult to predict what surveyors might find, and how long it will take to build the infrastructure required to store the energy and feed it into the grid.

I’ve written before about what a net zero infrastructure might look like, and in that article, I highlighted the need for flexible storage options and robust, modernised infrastructure to transport the power from where it is generated to where it will be used. This is all particularly true of wind power; where large turbines require a bigger site, transport links existing or built to move and install the structures, and a typical separation distance of at least 500m to any housing. The site will also be subject to planning committees which can be derailed by opposition from local residents.?

While I believe that we should absolutely be working towards greater energy independence and a greater share of energy coming from renewable sources, I would have to agree with energy data provider ICIS who have predicted that the target will be missed.