'Inadequate, unclear': verdict in from wind giants on UK onshore rule change

Major developers have broken cover to criticise the UK government’s easing of an effective ban on onshore wind farms in England as not going far enough, saying that the “micro adjustment” to the rules hasn’t changed anything.

Power over the approval of projects still lies with local councils, but they must now consider the views of the “whole community, rather than a small minority,” when considering a planning application.

Industry experts expressed their disappointment with the changes last week, with RenewableUK saying that they still left a planning system “stacked against onshore wind”. Developers, however, largely stayed quiet at first while privately expressing their displeasure.

Richard Mardon, head of development at Norwegian state-owned developer Statkraft, which had declined to comment on the rule changes last week, said that the government announcement “doesn't make development in England any easier.”

Onshore wind is “central” to decarbonising the grid, he said, and it is “important that planning applications for onshore wind projects in England are treated in the same way as any other renewable development”.

A spokesperson for German renewables developer RWE agreed, saying that the company does not see the proposed changes as having “any impact on investment in new onshore wind developments in England.”

“Planning restrictions are the single biggest barrier to delivering onshore wind in England and unfortunately, there is still a presumption against the approval of new onshore wind projects,” they said.

RWE joined several other developers in calling for the UK government to “level the playing field” and treat onshore wind the same in planning as any other infrastructure. Currently, it is still easier to build new fossil fuel plants, or even a landfill, than an onshore turbine in England.

Frank Elsworth, head of UK onshore development at Swedish state-owned energy company Vattenfall, said it is still “unclear” what effect the rule changes might have and “we will only know once someone tries to develop a new project.”

However, he said his company is “not sure the proposed changes will lead to more onshore wind projects coming forward in England.”

Darren Cuming, head of onshore wind development at France’s EDF said that, “whilst we welcome this change, it doesn’t go far enough,” and onshore wind must be treated the same as other infrastructure projects if it is to play a role in combatting climate change.

Matthew Clayton, managing director of UK developer Thrive Renewables, which funded the only onshore wind farm built in England this year, said: “Overall, we welcome this micro adjustment away from a ban on onshore wind in England.”

However, he added that, “in the context of a climate crisis and the urgency with which we need to address the financial and carbon cost of energy, this really isn’t adequate.”

The company is awaiting “further clarity on how communities will be able to demonstrate their support” for projects, said Clayton.