UK receives a clean energy boost, as onshore wind given green light

The UK has been delivered a boost to its clean energy ambitions with the announcement that the Government will overturn the de facto ban on onshore wind. In releasing a 40-step plan to kickstart expansion in the energy source, the UK Government hopes to achieve its clean power ambition of 27-29 GW of onshore wind by 2030. Additionally, it is believed that the strategy could more than double the current onshore wind workforce, supporting up to 45,000 skilled jobs across the country by 2030.

To facilitate this, the plan will:

·         Unlock up to 10 GW of onshore wind by resolving issues with how wind turbines and aerospace civil and defence infrastructure co-exist.

·         ‘Repower’ old turbines across England to maintain the current fleet.

·         Assist planners and developers to support growth in onshore wind, including making sure planning decisions are based on up-to-date information, and that site surveys are more efficient to speed up decision-making.

·         Explore plans to expand the clean industry bonus for onshore wind, encouraging developers to either invest in supply chains in the UK’s industrial heartlands, or in cleaner supply chains.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks has said that “Rolling out more onshore wind is a no-brainer – it’s one of our cheapest technologies, quick to build, supports thousands of skilled jobs and can provide clean energy directly to the communities hosting it”[i].

Local communities are also set to prosper with the voluntary community benefits guidance for onshore wind for England set to be updated. This could provide communities with up to £5,000 per megawatt per year for community initiatives, such as new football pitches or libraries, or even bill discount schemes. Further, by delivering the upper Clean Power 2030 ambition of 29 GW of onshore wind, it’s estimated that an additional £70 million of community funding will be unlocked for rural towns and villages every year. 

Matthieu Hue, co-chair of the new Onshore Wind Taskforce and CEO of EDF Power Solutions UK and Ireland, added: “Together we are forging a path forward for onshore wind in Great Britain, and we are committed to ensuring a successful implementation through a new Onshore Wind Council, which will oversee the execution of the strategy. This is a critical part of making Britain a clean energy superpower and delivering energy security”[ii].

Home solar installations reach highest levels in a decade

In a further boost to the UK’s clean energy ambitions, newly released data has revealed that solar installations are also witnessing a boom, having reached their highest level in a decade.

Findings from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme- the standards organisation for small-scale domestic renewable energy and heating across the UK) show that home solar installations were 22% higher in the first half of 2025, than in the same period in 2024. The UK saw almost 24,000 installations in March 2025 alone- the highest monthly figure since December 2015, it brings this year’s total to just over 127,000 MCS certified installations so far.

Recent government polling found that rooftop solar is popular with the British public, with almost two-thirds (63%) saying they are keen to have the technology on their home, yet currently less than 6% have rooftop solar installed. The main barrier is cost, but in a positive sign MCS’ tracking reveals that the average solar installation cost has declined significantly over the past two years. It has fallen from a peak of £10,427 in April 2023, to just under £7,600 as of July 2025.

Solar is a key part of the UK Government clean energy strategy, and last month it published its Solar Roadmap, which outlines a plan of action to support the required increase in deployment expected to deliver 45-47GW of solar by 2030, a noticeable increase from the current 18GW[iii]. The roadmap specifically sets out plans to target rooftop solar, including proposals to retrofit 200 schools and up to 200 hospitals in England with rooftop solar, as well as setting out initiatives for new and existing homes via the Warm Homes Plan and Future Homes and Buildings Standards. Additionally the government recently issued a call for evidence to assess the potential of installing  solar canopies on outdoor carparks[iv].

References

[i] New plan to kickstart onshore wind revolution - GOV.UK

[ii] Ibid

[iii] UK Solar Roadmap 2025

[iv] UK consumers could benefit from the ‘untapped potential of solar in car parks’ as Government launches a call for evidence

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