The time is now for mid sized wind

With armies of specialists working together to decarbonise our energy system, made only more critical by sky rocketing oil prices, now is the time to deploy onshore wind quickly and cheaply across the UK. This means working with Government and stakeholders to break down the barriers and ensure that scalable onshore wind proliferates in partnership with nature and society. 

It’s time for a big push on locally embedded generation within regional networks, strengthening energy security and supporting jobs and local economies. Communities must be at the heart of this transition - benefiting directly from hosting wind turbines in the landscapes where they live.

Despite the UK being home to the windiest region in Europe, identifying suitable sites for wind development is increasingly difficult. Turbines must be located in rural areas - away from homes, infrastructure, environmentally sensitive areas, and heritage sites - yet still close to grid connections with available capacity. This is particularly challenging given that grid infrastructure is already under significant strain, as highlighted by NESO’s recent grid reform, with thousands of projects awaiting connection. Additional constraints limit opportunities even further, sites must be accessible for transporting large turbine components, which is often problematic in rural areas. Turbines must also avoid interference with aviation and communications systems. When all these factors - along with topography and wind speed - are considered together, viable locations become extremely limited. Even when a suitable site is identified, landowner support is not guaranteed, and in more favourable areas, alternative developments such as housing or commercial projects often offer greater financial returns. Many of the most accessible and economically viable sites have already been utilised.

We need to think afresh about how to install this homegrown power source. Mid-sized wind - typically between 90 and 149m in height is being overlooked in favour of bigger machines with better financial returns. But, bigger is not realistic in many UK constrained landscapes. We need to look to mid-sized wind turbines that offer a practical and achievable solution. They are more likely to connect to existing lower-voltage grid infrastructure via overhead wooden poles, can be transported to their location more easily through the UK’s road network, and are less likely to require prominent aviation lighting. We can do this by harnessing and benefitting the exceptional networks of committed community energy groups. Without doubt, local communities are best placed to identify and take forward new mid - sized wind projects in return for local community benefits such as co-ownership and community energy funds. 

The catch is that these viable, practical onshore wind projects often do not align with the financial models required to attract investment. They need support mechanisms and new policy levers in order for us to succeed and build out UK wind. At a time when energy price volatility continues to expose the UK’s vulnerability, this represents a clear opportunity which can be realised with the right support. We need a stable supply chain for mid-sized turbines and financial frameworks that provide long-term certainty, including guaranteed floor prices typically seen in larger renewable and nuclear developments.

Now is the moment for fresh thinking so that we can unlock a new generation of appropriately scaled wind projects and deliver secure, affordable power to transform the UK’s energy system.