Onshore wind pipeline report 2024

RenewableUK EnergyPulse report - September 2024

Executive summary

The UK’s pipeline of onshore wind projects at all stage of development (operational, under construction, consented, in planning and pre-planning) has grown by 4.2 gigawatts (GW) since last September, from 38.5GW to 42.7GW.

This is a considerable increase compared to the previous twelve-month period (Sept 2022-23), when the pipeline grew by 1.5GW. 4.2GW of onshore wind capacity is enough to power almost three million homes a year.

Our latest EnergyPulse Onshore Wind Report shows that the UK now has 15.5GW of onshore wind capacity in operation - enough to power 10.9 million homes. This includes 594 megawatts of capacity which has gone operational so far in 2024.

Foreword by James Robottom, Head of Policy

To declare that “this has been the most important twelve months for onshore wind in the UK ever” - is perhaps a little extravagant, but it is, without doubt, a year that has set a tone for the future and one I hope we look back on as a true turning point for the industry.

This time last year, we began with the landmark Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal - committing to an ambition of 20GW by 2030 and an extensive work programme to speed up consenting and delivery.

In March, a new capacity landmark was set as we broke 15GW of onshore wind, followed at the end of August by all wind in the UK reaching 30GW. The project to do it? SSE’s impressive 443MW Viking onshore wind farm in Shetland.

But the biggest news of the year came in July. As their first act - the new government announced lifting the de-facto ban on onshore wind in England after nearly a decade - closely followed by the announcement of an Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce. This is a testament to the relentless campaigning done by so many and a victory for common sense.

It's a cliché, but the hard work starts now. Restarting an industry will take time, but we know there is strong interest from developers, businesses, and communities already exploring sites as we work hard to kick-start the pipeline in England.

If there has ever been a time for a call to arms for onshore wind, it is now. We have a responsibility to bring everyone along on the journey and encourage those looking for or in work to choose renewables. We need the next generation to learn the skills to build the technology and the grid we desperately need. We need companies of every size to trust the opportunity and invest. Most importantly, we must continue developing an industry that is sensitive to nature and communities.