The UK government has announced its first-ever onshore wind strategy, in an effort to increase renewable power capacity while fostering job growth within the sector.
The country aims to mostly decarbonise its electricity sector by 2030 in line with the broader climate objectives, and enhance energy security and mitigate electricity costs by reducing dependence on costly fossil fuels, as reported by Reuters.
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The new strategy could create 45,000 new jobs.
In a statement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Energy Minister Michael Shanks stated: “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.”
The government outlines 40 actions designed to accelerate onshore wind project development. These include funding for local amenities such as football pitches or libraries in areas hosting new projects.
Measures are being introduced to streamline planning processes for upcoming projects and repower ageing wind turbines nearing their operational end-of-life.
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By GlobalDataIndustry group RenewableUK head of onshore wind delivery James Robottom stated: “The measures outlined will increase confidence among investors and developers, so that we can attract billions in private investment and create thousands of highly-skilled jobs and new supply chains all over the country.”
With 16 gigawatts (GW) of installed onshore wind capacity currently, the UK is targeting 27GW to 29GW by 2030.
In June 2025, the government introduced an extensive Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan to boost investment in the country’s clean energy sector. The initiative seeks to elevate private investment to more than £30bn ($40.78bn) each year by 2035.
