Scotland consults on plans to add 8 GW-12 GW of onshore wind by 2030

The Scottish government on Thursday launched a consultation on its ambition to secure 8 GW-12 GW of additional onshore wind capacity by 2030.

Currently, Scotland’s installed onshore wind capacity stands at 8.4 GW. According to the draft Onshore Wind Policy Statement, which is being released ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, 202 projects totalling roughly 9.7 GW are currently moving through the pipeline between planning stages and construction.

The government is seeking views till January 21, 2022 on how to address barriers to deployment and how to secure maximum economic benefit.

“Onshore wind is one of the most cost-effective forms of large-scale electricity generation and is vital to Scotland's future energy mix as we transition to a net-zero economy,” said Net Zero and Energy Secretary Michael Matheson.

The plans were first set out in a cooperation agreement between the Scottish government and the Scottish Green Party.

Scotland’s Climate Change Plan Update outlines the need for the development of 11 GW-16 GW of renewable capacity through to 2032. According to the recent Renewables UK Onshore Wind Prospectus, adding 12 GW of onshore wind capacity by 2030 would create 17,000 jobs and the equivalent of GBP 27.8 billion (USD 38.2bn/EUR 32.9bn) in GVA (gross value added).

(GBP 1 = USD 1.374/EUR 1.185)

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