Onshore Wind in the UK: Between Hopes and Constraints

Against a backdrop of energy crisis, onshore wind power in the UK is attracting renewed interest despite persistent regulatory challenges.

Share:

Éolien terrestre: espoir renouvelé

In an era marked by unprecedented energy challenges, the UK is at a critical crossroads when it comes to the development of onshore wind power. Faced with the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades, exacerbated by soaring energy prices, the nation is placing increasing emphasis on alternative solutions.

Onshore Wind: Under-exploited Potential

Among these, onshore wind power offers considerable potential, albeit largely under-exploited. Like Ellis Jacklin, a mechanical engineer from the north of England, many Britons are turning to wind power as a way of reducing their electricity bills. Thanks to its membership of a local onshore wind turbine “Fan Club”, Jacklin has made significant savings on its energy bill. This scheme, launched by Octopus Energy Generation, illustrates the growing interest in renewable energies among consumers.

Regulatory constraints and local opposition

However, onshore wind development in the UK has been hampered by strict regulatory constraints imposed since 2015. Opposition in some rural areas, in particular, has led to the introduction of rules that allow a single local resident to block the installation of new turbines. These measures are seen by wind power advocates as a de facto ban, hampering the country’s 2050 carbon neutrality targets.

The Role of Innovation and Local Initiatives

In the face of these challenges, innovative initiatives are emerging. Octopus Energy Generation recently launched “Winder”, a platform designed to facilitate the installation of wind turbines by connecting local groups with landowners. This ambitious project aims to democratize access to wind power while circumventing some of the existing regulatory constraints.

Economic and environmental benefits of onshore wind power

The potential benefits of onshore wind power are not only economic, but also environmental. In regions like East Yorkshire, the use of wind power not only reduces electricity bills but also contributes to a more sustainable energy future. Consumers like Ellis Jacklin are using the technologies available to maximize these benefits, by adapting their consumption to periods of high wind generation.
Onshore wind power in the UK is at a turning point. Between regulatory constraints and technological innovation, this sector could play a crucial role in the country’s energy transition. Solving the current challenges and exploiting its full potential could not only alleviate the cost of living crisis, but also make a significant contribution to the goal of carbon neutrality.

Onshore wind power in the UK is at a turning point. Between regulatory constraints and technological innovation, this sector could play a crucial role in the country’s energy transition. Solving the current challenges and exploiting its full potential could not only alleviate the cost of living crisis, but also make a significant contribution to the goal of carbon neutrality.

German group wpd takes over the teams and a portfolio of 17 wind projects from Calycé, consolidating its position in the French market and expanding its regional presence, particularly in the Grand Est, with the support of Envinergy.
SPIE Wind Connect partners with Van Oord to connect and test 21 high-voltage cables for the Windanker offshore wind farm, marking a key milestone in the development of Germany’s offshore wind sector.
Envision Energy and FERA Australia announce an agreement to develop up to 1 GW of wind and 1.5 GWh of storage on the Australian market, laying the foundation for a new hybrid power plant model.
German group RWE has completed installation of all 100 monopile foundations at Sofia, a 1.4 GW offshore wind farm located 195 kilometres from the British coast, marking a major step in the construction of the project.
Greece’s wind sector reaches a new milestone with 5.5 GW installed, driven by 37 new turbines and €180 mn in investments during the first half of 2025, according to ELETAEN.
Nomura Real Estate has signed a power purchase agreement for its new Tokyo headquarters with wpd and GPSS Group, supplying the Higashi Izu Furusato wind project with a capacity of 7.48 MW.
Energiequelle completes the commissioning of two Enercon E-160 turbines in Raßlitz, replacing previous models and increasing the installed capacity of the Saxony site more than fivefold.
Ørsted has completed a $2.75bn project financing with 25 banks and five export credit agencies for the 632 MW Greater Changhua 2 offshore wind farm in Taiwan, strengthening its industrial partnership strategy. —
Masdar and Iberdrola announce a joint investment of €5.2 billion in the East Anglia THREE offshore wind farm in the United Kingdom and full commissioning of the German Baltic Eagle project (476 MW).
Energiekontor AG has secured contracts for four wind projects with a total capacity of 125 megawatts, following the Federal Network Agency's May 2025 tender in Germany.
Ecopetrol S.A. finalises the acquisition of Wind Autogeneración from Enel S.A.S., thereby taking over the Windpeshi wind project in Colombia, with a planned capacity of 205 MW, aimed at the Colombian oil group's energy self-consumption.
Oceanic Wind Energy Inc. and Coast Tsimshian Enterprises Ltd. secured an exclusive investigative use permit in the Hecate Strait, paving the way for Canada's first major offshore wind project, targeting capacity of up to 700 MW.
German manufacturer Nordex will supply 13 N163/6.X wind turbines to developer SAB WindTeam for a 91 MW wind farm in Brandenburg, with commissioning scheduled for early 2027 and an extended 20-year service agreement.
EDF is delaying the start-up of the Calvados offshore wind farm by more than two years, citing extended adjustments to a drilling tool vital for installing the sixty-four monopile foundations off Courseulles-sur-Mer.
German company NeXtWind signs historic €1.4 billion debt financing to accelerate expansion and modernisation of its onshore wind farms and reach a total capacity of 3 GW by 2028.
Energy company TGS has won a major high-resolution geophysical imaging contract for offshore wind site characterization in Norway, strengthening its position in this rapidly growing market.
Iberdrola Australia secures crucial approval from Australian authorities to begin metocean studies for its 3GW Aurora Green offshore project off the coast of Victoria, marking a decisive stage in its development.
ENGIE begins full operation of the Red Sea Wind Energy wind farm in Egypt, increasing its capacity to 650 MW, four months ahead of schedule, now powering over one million homes in the region.
Tokyo Gas, through TOWII Renewables, a joint venture with EWII, purchases two onshore wind projects developed by Finnish company Puhuri, totalling 74.4 MW, marking its expansion beyond the Danish market.
The European Investment Bank grants EWE AG historic €450mn financing for the installation of 2,600 km of underground power lines and the upgrade of over 1,100 substations in Lower Saxony.