New Legislation to Boost Onshore Wind and Solar Projects in England

In a bid to accelerate the UK’s transition to clean energy, the government has unveiled The Infrastructure Planning (Onshore Wind and Solar Generation) Order 2025. This legislative change, set to take effect in England, aims to streamline the planning process for large-scale onshore wind and solar projects, aligning with the nation’s ambitious net zero targets.

Onshore Wind Back in the Spotlight

One of the key changes introduced by this Order is the reclassification of onshore wind projects. Previously sidelined due to policy shifts in 2015 and 2016, onshore wind projects over 100 megawatts (MW) will now fall under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime. This move is designed to reinvigorate the onshore wind sector, which saw a dramatic decline in development, with projects plummeting by over 90% in recent years.

By bringing onshore wind back into the NSIP fold, the government hopes to level the playing field with other energy technologies like offshore wind and nuclear, ensuring that large-scale projects are assessed consistently and efficiently. This change is expected to bolster the UK’s renewable energy capacity, supporting its clean power objectives for 2030.

A New Threshold for Solar Projects

The Order also raises the threshold for solar projects entering the NSIP regime from 50MW to 100MW. This adjustment addresses a significant bottleneck where developers were capping projects just below the previous threshold to avoid the more cumbersome NSIP process. By increasing the threshold, mid-sized solar projects can pursue a more streamlined planning route through local authorities, potentially encouraging the development of more optimally sized projects.

Consultation and Support

The legislative changes follow a comprehensive consultation process, which revealed strong support across various sectors, including developers, local authorities, and professional bodies. While some concerns were raised about the centralization of decision-making power, the consensus leaned towards the benefits of a more efficient planning system capable of handling the complexities of large-scale renewable projects.

Impact and Future Monitoring

The government acknowledges the potential for increased costs and delays for projects currently navigating the planning system. To mitigate these impacts, a transitional window is in place until the end of 2025, allowing stakeholders time to adapt to the new regulations.

Looking ahead, the legislation will undergo a post-implementation review within five years to assess its effectiveness and ensure it aligns with the UK’s clean energy goals.

In summary, The Infrastructure Planning (Onshore Wind and Solar Generation) Order 2025 represents a strategic shift in the UK’s energy policy, aiming to remove barriers and foster the growth of renewable energy projects essential for achieving net zero emissions by 2030.