UK could hit 30 GW of onshore wind by decade end

The UK could grow its installed onshore wind capacity to 30 GW by the end of 2029 from the current 13.6 GW if it realises its existing project pipeline in full, according to RenewableUK.

The trade association’s latest Onshore Wind Project Intelligence report says that the capacity expansion will be fuelled by falling technology costs and next year’s resumption of auctions for power generation contracts.

The pipeline reflected in the report includes assets in operation and projects under construction, consented, submitted into the planning system or being developed for submission into planning. Executing them in full would result in 30,361 MW of operational wind capacity at the end of the decade. This would put the UK on track to install a total of 35 GW of onshore wind by 2035, as recommended by the Committee on Climate Change, thereby supporting more than 30,000 jobs and attracting an investment of GBP 46 billion (USD 60bn/EUR 50.9bn).

In addition to the projects within the pipeline, the UK could secure a further 1.2 GW of capacity by repowering existing wind farms. At present, there are only 231 MW of repowered plants.

“Next year’s auction for new clean energy contracts is a crucial step in unlocking the new jobs and investment that onshore wind can deliver as part of the green recovery. Our latest forecast shows what’s possible, but we need the right policy levers and regulation in place to make it happen,” commented Rebecca Williams, RenewableUK’s Head of Policy and Regulation.

(GBP 1.0 = USD 1.308/EUR 1.106)

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