Onshore wind’s revival in Britain

The UK’s onshore wind sector is experiencing a significant resurgence. Following the government's decision to lift restrictive planning rules, developers are once again exploring wind projects that had been side lined for years. This policy shift reclassifies large onshore wind farms as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, streamlining approvals and reducing local veto power.

This change is crucial for achieving the UK's net zero targets. While the government has set a goal of connecting 30 GW of onshore wind by 2030, the country currently has just 15 GW built – and only about 18 GW in the grid connection queue. ‘That gap underscores how urgently we need to unlock more capacity,’ said Suzanna Lashford, head of business development at Vattenfall IDNO. ‘The appetite is clearly there – but historically, policy and grid access have held things back.’

Encouragingly, NESO’s proposed grid reforms could be a turning point. According to analysis by Rystad Energy, these changes are likely to favour wind over solar in the connection process – potentially accelerating onshore wind deployment across the UK.

‘Wind has always been a strong candidate for scale and resilience,’ Suzanna added. ‘With the right regulatory support and smarter grid connections, it can go much further – and faster – than people realise.’

Despite the positive momentum, community opposition – often labelled as ‘Not In My Back Yard’ (NIMBY) – remains a challenge, particularly concerning the visual impact of overhead pylons. While overhead lines are cost effective, they can face significant resistance from local residents. Planners often prefer underground cabling to mitigate these concerns, although this approach can be more expensive.

Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs) play a pivotal role in facilitating onshore wind projects. Unlike traditional Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), IDNOs offer greater flexibility in network design, supplier selection, and route planning. This flexibility can lead to significant cost savings and more efficient project timelines.

Suzanna continues, ‘At Vattenfall IDNO, for instance, we currently have no overhead lines in our portfolio. We try to focus on underground solutions, working closely with developers to find practical and community sensitive cable routes. By negotiating with landowners and exploring alternatives to road based installations, we aim to reduce both costs and community disruption. That being said we can always fall back to the overhead line option.’

Another benefit of partnering with an IDNO is that it can assist in identifying optimal cable routes that minimise environmental impact and community disruption. The IDNO’s approach includes personalised engagement with landowners, ensuring that their concerns are addressed and agreements are reached amicably. This contrasts with the more rigid processes often associated with DNOs. Moreover, IDNOs can offer asset payments, providing developers with financial incentives that are not available through DNOs.

Battery storage has hit economic headwinds in recent months – but when paired with onshore wind, the outlook brightens. Hybrid projects offer more than just a green power boost: they increase reliability, smooth out intermittency, and unlock new revenue streams. But pairing two technologies brings added complexity. From grid compliance to system integration, hybrid sites demand careful design and execution.

‘Designing hybrid sites isn’t straightforward – you are balancing different technologies with different behaviours,’ said Suzanna. ‘But, with the right technical approach, they can be made to work together efficiently, both operationally and financially.’

The return of onshore wind feels long overdue – not just for the sake of net zero targets, but for a more balanced approach to energy development. One that recognises local concerns, avoids the mistakes of the past, and finds smarter ways to deliver progress.

‘Getting this right will take more than ambition. It will take collaboration, clarity, and partners who understand that infrastructure isn’t just about what you build – it is how, where, and with whom you build it,’ added Suzanna. ‘That is where IDNOs can make the difference: by connecting the dots between policy, technology, and people on the ground. Onshore wind doesn’t need a reinvention. It needs a second chance – handled better.’