Onshore windfarm applications hit 10-year high in England
Summary
The number of applications for new onshore windfarms in England has reached its highest level in ten years after the government ended a Conservative-era restriction in 2015. Since the ban was lifted, the amount of planned onshore wind capacity has more than tripled, although the proposed windfarms tend to be smaller compared to those in Scotland.Key Facts
- About 45 applications for new onshore windfarms were submitted in England in the year leading to March.
- Onshore wind power capacity entering the planning system in England has more than tripled since the ban was lifted.
- Before the Labour government’s election, applications averaged about 9 megawatts (MW) per month; this rate increased to approximately 36MW per month by early 2024.
- Prior to September 2023, Conservative ministers started loosening rules, raising onshore wind applications from about 1MW per month.
- The largest new English onshore windfarm to receive government subsidy since the ban is a 20MW project near St Austell, Cornwall.
- New windfarms proposed in England typically have two turbines and 8MW capacity, while in Scotland, proposals average nine turbines and 59MW.
- Only one English onshore windfarm over 100MW has been proposed since the ban was lifted, compared to 18 in Scotland.
- England's total proposed onshore wind capacity since the ban was lifted is 438MW, compared to 490MW in Wales and 5,280MW in Scotland.
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