popular articles

London lifts onshore wind blockade

The UK relaxes rules for onshore wind turbines, aiming to make it easier to approve projects supported by local communities. However, this decision has been criticized by Greenpeace, which believes that it is not enough to remove the developers' uncertainty in the face of local authority decisions.

Please share:

The new measures are designed to facilitate the approval of onshore wind farm projects in England.

Relaxation of rules for onshore wind turbines in England: The voice of the local community strengthened

On Tuesday, the British government announced the relaxation of rules governing the siting of onshore wind turbines, under which the opposition of a single local resident could block a project, and which had been denounced as a de facto ban on new installations.
Under the new measures, onshore wind projects supported by local people will be approved more quickly in England, ensuring that the whole community has a say and not just a small number of objectors, says a government statement.
Decisions on onshore wind power will be better taken by local representatives, but they will need to adopt a more balanced approach. When the local population supports a wind turbine project on its territory, this may also result in discounts on energy prices charged in the region, according to the executive’s proposals.

Greenpeace criticizes decision to grant new fossil fuel licenses in the UK

However, Greenpeace regards these adjustments as insufficient, denouncing that they will not remove uncertainty for developers in the face of whimsical decisions by local authorities.The current rules, introduced under Conservative David Cameron in 2015, were criticized by the Labour opposition. The government was also under pressure from MPs in its own ranks, notably Alok Sharma, who was president of COP26 in 2021.

However, opposition to onshore wind power remains rooted in Conservative party beliefs, says Greenpeace.

The NGO is also critical of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent decision to authorize hundreds of new oil and gas exploration and production licenses in the North Sea.

While the UK is one of the world leaders in offshore wind turbines, Swedish group Vattenfall’s decision in July to halt development of a vast offshore wind project has dealt a blow to the country’s renewable energy ambitions.

Why does it matter?

The relaxation of rules for onshore wind turbines in the UK may have an impact on the transition to renewable energies. However, the government’s decision has drawn criticism for its commitment to fossil fuel reduction.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

French company Eolink plans to launch a 5 MW floating wind turbine in Brest, targeting a 2027 grid connection as part of the sector’s industrial progression.
EDF Renewables is centralising condition monitoring of over 5GW of wind turbines through ONYX Insight’s fleetMONITOR platform, reinforcing its global predictive maintenance strategy.
EDF Renewables is centralising condition monitoring of over 5GW of wind turbines through ONYX Insight’s fleetMONITOR platform, reinforcing its global predictive maintenance strategy.
Boralex has launched operations at the 106 MW Limekiln Wind Farm in Scotland, marking its first operational facility in the United Kingdom, supported by a 15-year public contract and a power purchase agreement.
Boralex has launched operations at the 106 MW Limekiln Wind Farm in Scotland, marking its first operational facility in the United Kingdom, supported by a 15-year public contract and a power purchase agreement.
Nexif Ratch Energy has received preliminary environmental approval from the Philippine government to initiate technical studies for its 500 MW San Miguel Bay offshore wind project.
Nexif Ratch Energy has received preliminary environmental approval from the Philippine government to initiate technical studies for its 500 MW San Miguel Bay offshore wind project.
Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Goldwind reported strong 2024 results, fuelled by accelerated overseas sales amid a slowdown in the domestic market.
Swedish group Vattenfall has approved the final investment for two major offshore projects in the North Sea, with construction scheduled to start in 2026 and operations expected by 2028.
Swedish group Vattenfall has approved the final investment for two major offshore projects in the North Sea, with construction scheduled to start in 2026 and operations expected by 2028.
European Energy has finalised two agreements to sell an 83.5 MW portfolio of wind farms to Enea, reinforcing its position as a renewable energy developer in the Polish market.
European Energy has finalised two agreements to sell an 83.5 MW portfolio of wind farms to Enea, reinforcing its position as a renewable energy developer in the Polish market.
Repsol has sold a 49% minority stake in a 400 MW renewable portfolio in Spain to Schroders Greencoat for €580 mn, confirming its co-investment strategy to optimise project profitability.
Repsol has sold a 49% minority stake in a 400 MW renewable portfolio in Spain to Schroders Greencoat for €580 mn, confirming its co-investment strategy to optimise project profitability.
Swedish firm Hexicon has sold its 50% stake in two floating offshore wind projects off the coast of Italy to Ingka Investments and Oxan Energy for up to €20mn.
ABO Energy secured three additional wind projects in the latest tender by the German Federal Network Agency, extending a momentum initiated in 2024.
ABO Energy secured three additional wind projects in the latest tender by the German Federal Network Agency, extending a momentum initiated in 2024.
The Spanish group transfers the majority of its operations in India and Sri Lanka to a consortium led by TPG, creating a new entity focused on onshore wind.
The Spanish group transfers the majority of its operations in India and Sri Lanka to a consortium led by TPG, creating a new entity focused on onshore wind.
Swedish group Vattenfall acquires BASF’s stake and initiates a 1,610 MW North Sea wind project on its own, with commissioning expected by 2028.
Swedish group Vattenfall acquires BASF’s stake and initiates a 1,610 MW North Sea wind project on its own, with commissioning expected by 2028.
Vena Energy commits USD 200 mn to an offshore wind project in South Korea to bolster the country’s energy independence, in partnership with local authorities.
Nexans will supply RTE with 730 kilometres of high-voltage cables to connect three future offshore wind farms off the coasts of Normandy and Oléron, under a framework agreement valued at more than €1 billion.
Nexans will supply RTE with 730 kilometres of high-voltage cables to connect three future offshore wind farms off the coasts of Normandy and Oléron, under a framework agreement valued at more than €1 billion.
Poland’s Baltic Power project, jointly owned by ORLEN and Northland Power, secured its first design certificates, a key regulatory step towards the construction of its offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea.
Poland’s Baltic Power project, jointly owned by ORLEN and Northland Power, secured its first design certificates, a key regulatory step towards the construction of its offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea.
In Martigné-Ferchaud, a group of citizens invested in a wind farm with an annual capacity of 36 GWh, raising €520,000 from a total €24 mn budget, with operations set to begin in May.
In Martigné-Ferchaud, a group of citizens invested in a wind farm with an annual capacity of 36 GWh, raising €520,000 from a total €24 mn budget, with operations set to begin in May.
RWE invests in wind projects in Texas by selecting GE Vernova to supply turbines made in the United States, thereby strengthening local energy production and supporting rural economic development.
Ignitis Group, the Lithuanian energy provider, updated the progress of its Curonian Nord offshore wind project with an investment of EUR 50 million. The final investment decision is expected after 2027.
Ignitis Group, the Lithuanian energy provider, updated the progress of its Curonian Nord offshore wind project with an investment of EUR 50 million. The final investment decision is expected after 2027.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has secured financing for the Fengmiao I offshore wind farm, a 495 MW project off the coast of Taiwan, marking a significant step forward for the local industry.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has secured financing for the Fengmiao I offshore wind farm, a 495 MW project off the coast of Taiwan, marking a significant step forward for the local industry.
Encavis AG continues its expansion in Hesse with the acquisition of a 12 MW wind farm project in Bad Arolsen-Landau, with grid connection expected by October 2025.
Encavis AG continues its expansion in Hesse with the acquisition of a 12 MW wind farm project in Bad Arolsen-Landau, with grid connection expected by October 2025.
RWE makes significant progress in the construction of the 1.4 GW Sofia offshore wind farm, with the arrival of a turbine installation vessel, the production of the first recyclable blades, and the imminent installation of the first turbines. Full commissioning is scheduled for 2026.
Ørsted has commissioned the 50.4 MW Bahren West I onshore wind farm in Germany, its largest project of this kind in the country. Construction of the 61.6 MW Bahren West II wind farm will start in May 2025, with completion expected by 2027.
Ørsted has commissioned the 50.4 MW Bahren West I onshore wind farm in Germany, its largest project of this kind in the country. Construction of the 61.6 MW Bahren West II wind farm will start in May 2025, with completion expected by 2027.
RWE has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement with Telehouse Europe to supply renewable energy from the London Array offshore wind farm to its Docklands campus in London until 2035.
RWE has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement with Telehouse Europe to supply renewable energy from the London Array offshore wind farm to its Docklands campus in London until 2035.
Europe installed 12.9 GW of new wind capacity in 2024, but further efforts are required to meet its climate commitments, with 140 GW of investments expected between 2025 and 2030.
Europe installed 12.9 GW of new wind capacity in 2024, but further efforts are required to meet its climate commitments, with 140 GW of investments expected between 2025 and 2030.

Advertising