The Government has launched its Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce, with a remit to double onshore wind deployment by 2030.

The Taskforce brings together key organisations from government, industry, regulatory and other bodies to drive forward the increases in onshore wind needed to meet these deployment ambitions.

The Taskforce will identify where there are financial, regulatory or policy challenges that are preventing the construction and operation of onshore wind projects in an efficient and cost-effective manner whilst also considering the potential impacts that onshore wind projects can have on the local environment and broader electricity system.

The Taskforce will meet regularly over the course of 2024. At the end of this period, the Taskforce will issue a formal policy statement which will clearly set out a roadmap to 2030 and beyond. The Taskforce will then transition to an overarching body to keep track of progress of agreed actions.

Chaired by Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables, members include representatives from SSE, RWE, Vattenfall, Renewable UK, Scottish Renewables, Hitachi Energy, ESO and others.

RenewableUK’s chief executive Dan McGrail, who will be a member of the Taskforce, said: "The announcement of the Taskforce demonstrates strong backing for onshore wind from Westminster, which will support the continuing deployment of projects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as we work hard to kickstart the pipeline in England. Onshore wind already generates over 20 per cent of the UK’s electricity a year, so it has a key role in bringing secure, low-cost power to the whole country and specifically tailored economic benefits to local communities hosting new projects.”

---