UK Government to Take Final Say on Large Onshore Wind Farm Approvals

The UK government has unveiled plans to grant ministers the final authority on approving large onshore wind farms, a shift from the current practice where local councils have the decisive role. This change aims to streamline decision-making for large-scale energy projects, which often face significant local opposition.

The proposal was announced on Friday by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as part of the government’s “ambitious” action plan to achieve 95% clean energy in the UK by 2030. The initiative also includes giving the energy regulator the power to prioritize projects waiting to connect to the National Grid. This move would bring large onshore wind projects back under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime in England, aligning them with other energy infrastructure projects.

Under the new plan, the government would have the final say on wind farm projects larger than 100MW, effectively removing the power of local councils to block such developments. The change is intended to speed up the approval process and support the country’s decarbonization goals.

However, the proposal has faced criticism. Coutinho argued that Labour’s “rush” to decarbonize the electricity system by 2030 could lead to higher electricity prices, exacerbating financial hardship for people across Britain. “We need cheap, reliable energy, not even higher bills,” she said.

In response, Miliband highlighted the risks of relying on gas, which exposes consumers to price fluctuations. He emphasized that the public would still be consulted on new wind farm projects, but the secretary of state would have the power to make the final decision, ensuring national priorities like tackling climate change are met.