Onshore Wind – where are we now?

Getting onshore wind projects through the planning system has been a slow process in the past, something the OWS is looking to improve through actions it intends to take in this area. Steps include:

• Updating planning policy/guidance relating specifically to onshore wind so decisions are based on the latest technical information and evidence;
• Improving data and providing training to improve the efficiency of site surveys/assessments; and
• Consulting on permitted development rights to support small-scale deployment and repowering.

The consultation on “Permitted development rights for onshore wind turbines in England” went live on 18 March 2026 and closed on 10 June 2026. In addition, onshore wind was brought back into the NSIP regime in late 2024, with National Policy Statements (in particular, for onshore wind, EN-3) being updated in late 2025 to provide “guidance to developers and decision makers following the reintroduction of onshore wind into the NSIP regime.”

Training is also being rolled out to assist LPAs with processing onshore wind project applications, which was much needed after the decade-long hiatus. A good example of this is the work Regen has been doing in partnership with DESNZ, GBE and local net zero hubs to provide useful resources to planners and industry players for assessing onshore wind projects. Nevertheless, developers can expect some degree of variability in how local authorities apply national policy and early engagement with planning officers and review of the available guidance is advised.[1]

Grid for onshore wind (as with any other technology) currently remains a real and significant roadblock. Despite Ofgem approving wide-ranging reforms to connecting to the grid, there are still stumbling blocks and uncertainty for developers. The new approach is a move away from the ‘first-come, first-served’ approach of the past and now relies on a prioritisation method for getting projects connected. Our team has written extensively on this topic (see for instance here).

The changes are significant for developers. If a project lacks a credible development pathway, it is likely to be waving goodbye to a place in the sought-after connections queue. On the flip side, if a project is well progressed, then that might speed up connection timelines. Grid, along with land, planning and route-to-market, will need to be given considerable consideration at an early stage now more than ever.

In addition to connection reform, the OWS promises the delivery of a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan which will aim to provide a clearer picture of where energy is needed across the country. The SSEP is expected in autumn 2027 and Regen considers its likely impact in more detail here.

The community aspect has taken on greater importance since the publishing of the OWS, because the strategy specifically emphasises the need for community benefit, shared ownership and improving public perceptions of onshore wind. Along with the OWS, the Government published updated community benefits guidance for onshore wind in England, which expects that qualifying projects are likely to “provide community benefits of no less than £5,000 per MW of installed capacity per year for the operational lifetime of the project“, as well as shared ownership and lower bills – strong incentives for community positive engagement and participation. The Government anticipates that if 29GW of onshore wind can be delivered by 2030, this could unlock around £70m of investment into rural areas every year.

However, it is ultimately down to developers as to how they approach their projects at a local level. Engagement with local communities feeds directly into the planning piece – the better the engagement and where benefits are obvious, the more likely developers are to receive support and reduce the risk of objections being raised. Conversely, if not taken seriously, the local input may derail projects even in cases where national policy appears to be supportive. The community aspect and impact should not be underestimated.

Developers should look to record their community commitments clearly, transparently and ensure enforcement is undertaken where necessary. Also, importantly, community-related agreements should be aligned with funding strategies to avoid unexpected consequences later down the line.

As noted in our previous article, considerations regarding aviation and defence play a significant role in getting onshore wind projects approved and progressed. The OWS proposes annual surveys quantifying the impact of objections made to onshore wind projects on aviation/defence (“A&D”) grounds and putting in place a programme to test solutions to mitigate onshore wind turbine interference with MOD radars.

In September 2025, the Onshore Wind Aviation and Defence Management Board (“ADMB”) was established, its primary purpose being to “enable the successful commissioning of the onshore wind pipeline in areas where there are potential or existing issues with civil aviation and defence infrastructure.” To do so, it will look at policy solutions for situations where onshore wind may impact A&D infrastructure. Industry bodies are already engaging with the ADMB to come up with mutually-acceptable mitigation strategies so onshore and A&D infrastructure can safely co-exist.

The Government has also been considering options to support airports with upgrades to their existing radar systems to support the Clean Power 2030 plans for wind expansion as well as publishing its consultation on “Updated Approach to Managing Onshore Wind Turbine Interference with Eskdalemuir Seismic Array” which is due to end on 12 June 2026.

All of these initiatives are good news for developers, as they may significantly reduce bottlenecks in the planning process for onshore wind farms. The OWS suggests that by reducing objections on A&D grounds could unlock in the region of 10GW onshore wind pipeline.

The outcome of a strong CfD AR6 in late 2024 followed by an excellent AR7 in early 2026 with a record auction for onshore wind (1.3 GW secured across 28 projects) provided a boost to market confidence. AR7 also led to the first two onshore wind projects in England since the ban was lifted: “Imerys” in Cornwall (19.96 MW) and “Hyndburn II” in Lancashire (8.2 MW).

However, lenders and investors are increasingly alive to the fact that CfDs are only as valuable as a project’s ability to reach commissioning on schedule. Grid delay and planning slippage now feature prominently in diligence processes, with greater focus on works programmes, longstop dates and termination rights.

As a result, developers are exploring a broader mix of revenue strategies. Corporate power purchase agreements, hybrid and co‑located schemes and the repowering of legacy sites are all being utilised as options to mitigate exposure to auction cycles and connection risk. Each of these approaches brings its own legal and commercial considerations.

In terms of progress since the publication of the OWS, which focusses on monitoring current frameworks and identifying challenges to onshore wind projects, the Government has considered the CfD process and proposed reforms, including to the length of CfD terms and support for onshore wind repowering projects. Other initiatives, such as working with the National Wealth Fund to develop financial structures to assist onshore wind projects making use of PPAs, as well as the Review of the Electricity Market Arrangements are also underway in this space.

The OWS envisages further research into the supply chain to identify constraints and opportunities for onshore wind, as well as workforce monitoring to improve its evidence base for future supply chain and skills policy interventions.

In April 2026, an Everoze report commissioned by RenewableUK and entitled Onshore wind supply chain capability assessment projected that expanding the UK’s onshore wind supply chain between now and 2050 could add up to £56 billion in economic value (GVA). Key areas that would add to this projection include “manufacturing more onshore wind turbine blades, towers and steelwork, nacelles, drivetrains, cables and electrical equipment for high voltage substations in the UK for onshore wind farms here and abroad.”[2]

After consulting on the topic, the Government announced in February 2026 that the Clean Industry Bonus would include onshore wind projects, starting from CfD AR9, with the aim of strengthening domestic manufacturing, supporting regional jobs and encouraging supply chain sustainability.

Notwithstanding the research being undertaken and incentives offered, the real boost to the supply chain is likely to become more evident once deployment accelerates. If the bottlenecks slowing down the roll-out of onshore wind projects and similar technologies are reduced and deployments begin to take place at speed, the demand from the supply chain will follow.