UK Onshore Wind Urged to Prove Its Value and Unlock Investment
The UK’s onshore wind sector has been called on to confront political opposition and demonstrate its full value to the economy, energy security, and the clean power transition. Speaking at the Onshore Wind Conference 2025 in Edinburgh, industry leaders and government officials outlined both the challenges and the opportunities facing the sector.
Political Headwinds and PR Challenges
Claire Mack, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, warned that the “twin challenges of politics and PR” have intensified in recent months. She highlighted how energy and net zero, once unifying issues, are now facing political division and opposition. Mack urged the industry to better showcase the tangible benefits of onshore wind, including job creation, economic growth, and affordable homegrown power.
Onshore wind remains one of the UK’s most immediate and scalable renewable technologies, with the potential to deliver large-scale investment and contribute significantly to the Clean Power 2030 mission.
A “Supercycle” of Investment Ahead
Chris Stark, head of mission control for Clean Power 2030 at the UK government, described the coming years as a potential “supercycle of investment” for onshore wind. With reforms to grid connections and the decision to scrap zonal pricing, the government is laying the foundations to deliver 27–29GW of onshore wind by 2030.
He emphasised that the first 15 months of the new Labour government have been “relentless” in pursuing Clean Power 2030 targets, with upcoming milestones such as the AR7 Contracts for Difference auction expected to play a critical role in shaping the sector’s future.
Opportunities for Growth and Jobs
The call to action from both industry and government is clear: onshore wind must highlight its value not only as a clean energy source but also as a driver of skilled jobs, regional development, and energy security.
At LSP Renewables, we recognise that this moment presents significant career opportunities. With billions in potential investment and a strong pipeline of projects, demand for talent in engineering, project development, operations, and supply chain management is set to grow rapidly.
👉 Contact LSP Renewables today to explore opportunities in the UK’s expanding onshore wind sector or to build the teams powering the energy transition.
Source: ReNews