Britain unveiled its first national strategy for onshore wind on Friday, outlining more than 40 measures to reignite a sector left dormant for nearly a decade and positioning clean power at the heart of its economic and energy security ambitions.
The plan, published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, is expected to unlock up to 10 gigawatts of onshore wind capacity and support as many as 45,000 jobs by 2030. It follows the lifting of England’s effective ban on onshore wind development in 2023.
Breaking the Policy Deadlock
After years of limited development due to planning restrictions, the new strategy promises faster project approvals, clearer planning guidance, and updates to radar and aviation regulations, which have long been seen as key obstacles.
“Rolling out more onshore wind is a no-brainer — it’s one of our cheapest technologies, quick to build, supports thousands of skilled jobs and can provide clean energy directly to the communities hosting it,” said Energy Minister Michael Shanks in a statement.
The government said the move is part of its broader “Plan for Change” to reduce reliance on volatile global gas markets and transition to a low-carbon economy. Current ambitions aim to increase total onshore wind capacity to between 27 GW and 29 GW by the end of the decade.
Industry support and community benefits
The strategy will also see a ramp-up in repowering existing wind farms, investments in U.K.-based supply chains, and revised community benefits, including an updated English protocol that offers £5,000 ($6,500) per megawatt annually for local projects such as libraries, sports facilities, or energy bill discounts.
“Together we are forging a path forward for onshore wind in Great Britain,” said Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Power Solutions UK and Ireland and co-chair of the Onshore Wind Taskforce. A new Onshore Wind Council will oversee the plan’s implementation.
The government estimates that up to £70 million could be directed annually to rural communities through these initiatives if its Clean Power 2030 targets are met.
Reaction from Stakeholders
Industry leaders and trade groups welcomed the long-awaited strategy, though some highlighted the need to address lingering workforce and planning challenges.
Sue Ferns, senior deputy general secretary of the Prospect union, said: “The lost years resulting from the last government’s inexplicable ban have resulted in significant workforce and skills-related challenges. It is also important that renewables such as onshore wind generate good, unionised jobs.”
James Robottom, head of onshore wind delivery at RenewableUK, said the strategy “sets an ambitious target to almost double the U.K.’s onshore wind capacity by the end of the decade” and will boost investor confidence.
Developers, including Vattenfall, RWE, RES, ScottishPower Renewables and Hitachi Energy, echoed the strategy’s potential to drive growth and reduce consumer bills.
Offshore and Marine Developments
Alongside the onshore plan, the government confirmed it had completed a marine spatial review aimed at de-risking future offshore wind developments. The Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme will guide The Crown Estate’s seabed usage strategy to balance wind development with fishing and environmental protection.
The onshore wind strategy marks the latest step in the U.K.’s push to become a “clean energy superpower.” Since July last year, more than £40 billion in private investment in clean energy has been announced, the government said.
While challenges remain, the new policy direction reflects a growing consensus that rapid deployment of renewable energy is vital to both economic growth and energy security.
