Climate

UK wind power reaches historic 30GW milestone

Published

2 years ago

August 30, 2024

The UK’s wind energy sector has achieved a significant milestone, reaching a total generation capacity of 30 gigawatts (GW). This landmark was attained following the opening of the Viking Wind Farm on the Shetland Islands, which added 443 megawatts (MW) to the country’s capacity.

The UK’s combined onshore and offshore wind capacity now stands at 30,299MW, according to RenewableUK’s EnergyPulse, the industry’s leading market intelligence service. This capacity is sufficient to meet the annual electricity needs of over 26 million homes and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 35 million tonnes annually.

Wind power has been instrumental in the UK’s shift towards renewable energy, with wind energy accounting for a record 28.1% of the nation’s total electricity generation in 2023. In the same year, renewables provided 46.4% of the UK’s electricity, with wind power contributing over 60% of this total.

The journey to 30GW has been one of steady growth. The UK’s first commercial onshore wind farm in Delabole, Cornwall, began operations in 1991, followed by the first offshore project off Blyth, Northumberland, in 2000. It took until 2005 to reach 1GW of capacity, with growth accelerating in the subsequent years: 5GW was reached in 2010, 10GW in 2013, and 15GW in 2017. The latest milestone, 30GW, marks a doubling of capacity in just seven years.

The Viking Wind Farm, a project 15 years in the making and costing around £1.2 billion, is the largest onshore wind farm to be built in the UK in nearly a decade. With its 103 turbines, it will harness Shetland’s robust wind resources, delivering renewable energy via a 260km High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea cable. Viking is expected to become the UK’s most productive onshore wind farm, generating approximately 1.8 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity annually, enough to power a city the size of Birmingham.

Commenting on the achievement, Ana Musat, RenewableUK’s Executive Director of Policy & Engagement, hailed the milestone as a testament to the industry’s rapid progress. “It took 26 years to install the first 15GW of wind energy in the UK, so to double that to 30GW in just seven years represents a tremendous success for the industry,” she said. Musat emphasised the importance of wind energy in the UK’s transition away from fossil fuels, highlighting research that suggests doubling the UK’s onshore wind capacity by 2030 could boost the economy by £45 billion and create 27,000 jobs.

Stephen Wheeler, Managing Director of SSE Renewables, expressed pride in the Viking Wind Farm’s contribution to the milestone. “As the largest onshore wind farm to be built in the UK in nearly ten years, the completion of the project is a big moment in its own right – and contributing to this milestone for the industry makes it even more special,” Wheeler remarked. He also noted the urgency of further expanding renewable energy to meet the UK’s zero-carbon targets by the end of the decade.

The achievement of 30GW is a significant step towards a cleaner energy future for the UK, but industry leaders warn that continued rapid expansion is essential to achieving the country’s long-term environmental and economic goals.

It is important to note: While the UK has reached an impressive 30GW of installed wind capacity, it’s important to note that actual electricity generation from wind power can vary due to the fluctuating nature of wind. On average, onshore wind farms operate at around 30% of their capacity, while offshore wind farms typically achieve around 40%. This means that at any given moment, the amount of electricity generated can be significantly lower than the total installed capacity. The development of efficient and affordable energy storage solutions will be crucial for maximising the potential of wind power in the UK’s energy mix.

Climate

Green hydrogen plant approved for Milford Haven Freeport site

Published

6 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Major investment expected to boost low-carbon industry and create skilled jobs in West Wales

A MAJOR green hydrogen project planned for the Milford Haven Freeport tax site has taken a significant step forward after developers approved the final investment decision.

Energy company MorGen Energy has confirmed it will proceed with the West Wales Hydrogen project, one of the first schemes backed through the UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1) to reach this stage.

The facility will be built within the Milford Haven Tax Site, part of the Celtic Freeport zone covering Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the plant scheduled to become operational in early 2028.

Once completed, the site is expected to produce around 2,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen each year, meeting the UK’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard.

The hydrogen produced will support a range of industries, including port operations, manufacturing and industrial heating, as well as use as a chemical feedstock.

Supporters say the development will help reduce carbon emissions while strengthening Milford Haven’s role in the UK’s emerging hydrogen economy.

The project is also expected to create skilled jobs and provide work for local contractors during the construction phase.

Further expansion may be possible in future phases as demand for hydrogen grows, potentially helping establish Milford Haven as a major hub for low-carbon energy production serving South Wales and beyond.

Luciana Ciubotariu, Chief Executive of Celtic Freeport, said the decision marked another milestone for the region.

She said: “MorGen Energy’s decision is another major step forward for the hydrogen economy in South West Wales.

“Projects like this within the Milford Haven Tax Site show how the Celtic Freeport is accelerating decarbonisation while creating high-value jobs.”

The UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round scheme provides revenue support to help scale up the country’s low-carbon hydrogen sector and bring early projects to market.

Climate

Assault investigation launched after biker gang incident on A48

Published

2 days ago

March 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE appeal for witnesses after man reportedly attacked by group of eight men near Llanddarog junction

Local officers are investigating an alleged assault that took place on the A48 westbound at the Llanddarog junction, before the Nantycaws turn-off, at around 2:30pm on Saturday (Mar 7).

The incident is reported to have involved eight men who had parked Harley-Davidson motorcycles in a lay-by. The group allegedly assaulted a man who was travelling in a car.

The victim sustained moderate injuries and their vehicle was also damaged during the incident.

Anyone with information, or with private CCTV or dashcam footage showing suspicious activity in the area at the time, is asked to contact police in one of the following ways:

Online: https://orlo.uk/KRjzb
Email: [email protected]
Call: 101

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Please quote reference: DP-20260307-227.

Climate

Wind farm proposal in Teifi Valley withdrawn after developer review

Published

3 days ago

March 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Countryside charity welcomes decision but warns over cumulative impact of dozens of schemes across Wales

THE WELSH countryside charity CPRW has welcomed the decision by energy developer Bute Energy to withdraw its planning application for the proposed Nant Ceiment Energy Park in Carmarthenshire.

The scheme would have seen up to thirteen large wind turbines constructed in the Teifi Valley landscape.

Bute Energy confirmed the withdrawal following what it described as a detailed review of environmental, land and commercial factors, concluding that the project was not viable in its current form.

Local residents and campaigners had raised concerns about the potential impact of the turbines and the wider cumulative effect of multiple large wind developments being proposed across rural Wales.

CPRW chairman Jonty Colchester said the decision demonstrated the importance of scrutiny and public engagement during the planning process.

He said: “We welcome the withdrawal of the Nant Ceiment proposal. It shows that careful scrutiny and community engagement matter.

“Wales does need renewable energy, but it must be delivered through a strategic and coordinated approach that fully respects our landscapes, biodiversity and rural communities.”

The charity says it is currently monitoring more than seventy wind energy proposals progressing through the planning system across Wales.

These include major schemes such as Lan Fawr, Banc y Celyn, Gaerwen, Nant Mithil, Mynydd Maen and projects being promoted by the publicly owned developer Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru.

CPRW warned that several developments in south Wales highlight growing concerns about cumulative impact.

Planning decisions are still pending for schemes including Mynydd Maen, proposed by RES, and Trecelyn, promoted by Pennant Walters. Both developments are linked to the recently approved 92-acre Cil-lonydd solar farm.

Further proposals include four turbines at Rhyswg, while hearings are due to consider the Mynydd Llanhilleth scheme, which would involve seven turbines standing up to 180 metres high.

Campaigners say that when these projects are considered together, they raise concerns about the gradual expansion of large-scale energy infrastructure and the potential industrialisation of wide areas of upland Wales.

While supporting the transition to renewable energy, CPRW says it wants to see a more strategic approach to development that balances the need for green power with protection for landscapes, biodiversity and tourism.

The organisation is calling for a national renewables strategy that takes cumulative impacts into account, with greater emphasis placed on offshore wind projects. It is also urging improved transparency and stronger community involvement earlier in the planning process, alongside robust environmental standards to prevent unsuitable developments going ahead.

Further information on onshore wind proposals across Wales is available on the CPRW website.