New analysis by RenewableUK shows that building new onshore wind farms to reach the UK Government's target of 29 gigawatts of onshore wind by 2030 would save UK billpayers £3 billion a year, compared to the cost of producing the same amount of electricity from new gas-fired power stations.
Research by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) has revealed that in 2025 the wholesale price of electricity would have been 31% higher without wind power, if the UK had relied on more expensive gas instead.
RenewableUK’s analysis also shows that reaching the 29GW target would deliver nearly half a billion pounds a year to local communities. This includes £348 million in business and property rates, as well as £145 million in direct, long-term, annual community benefit funds. These help to pay for local priorities that people choose to support, such as community buildings and facilities, environmental schemes, skills and training, measures to tackle fuel poverty and rural isolation, and even saving community pubs.
Job opportunities are growing too: 15,000 people already work in the UK’s onshore wind industry, and this is set to rise to 17,500 by 2030. Around 70% of the lifecycle spend by onshore projects already takes place in the UK, including building and operating wind farms, and this draws on a geographically diverse onshore wind supply chain. Research commissioned by RenewableUK shows that expanding this supply chain between now and 2050 could add up to £56 billion in economic value (GVA) to the UK’s economy.
One of the fastest ways to unlock more cheap power is to replace older turbines on existing wind farm sites with newer, more efficient models, where communities support it. Repowering is popular - new polling released today by Copper Consultancy shows 70% of people support replacing smaller turbines with larger models to generate more clean electricity. This is based largely on real-world experience, as three-quarters of those polled live in or near an area which already has onshore wind farms.
Analysis by RenewableUK’s EnergyPulse data experts shows that repowering existing wind farms, and extending the life of current projects, could add a third more capacity to existing sites on average. Repowering has the potential to be cheaper than building new projects, as existing sites and grid infrastructure could be re-used, planners and developers already have close relationships with local communities, and these sites are already proven as good locations for wind generation. Our database shows that repowering and lifetime extension could add 659 megawatts of capacity towards the Government’s 2030 target, rising to 2.1 gigawatts by 2035 and 7.7GW by 2040.
The UK currently has 16.4GW of onshore wind fully operational, generating 12% of the UK’s annual electricity needs. Most operational onshore wind projects are in Scotland (10.7GW), and the Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal, signed in 2023, committed to 20GW of operational capacity by 2030. The UK Government wants to see capacity increase in England and Wales from 4.2GW to 8.6GW by 2030. However, analysis by Aurora Energy Research shows that projects representing only half the capacity needed to meet the 29GW target have grid connection offers so far (only 10.4GW in Scotland and 2.6GW in England and Wales).
RenewableUK’s CEO Tara Singh said:
'Hitting the UK’s onshore wind target by 2030, which will bring billions in benefits to all parts of the country, can only be achieved if we can get new projects connected to the grid faster and enable older turbines to be replaced by much more powerful new ones, which enjoys a high level of public support. As onshore wind is one of our cheapest forms of new power, and one of the fastest to build, this will cut bills and strengthen the UK’s energy security by delivering more homegrown power at the lowest cost. It also creates opportunities for us to grow our supply chain, creating jobs and boosting our economy further'.
Scottish Renewables CEO Angela Hepworth said:
'Scotland will be fundamental to delivering the UK’s future energy system. We already have a mature onshore wind sector supporting thousands of jobs, local supply chains and communities, with a significant opportunity to build on that success.
'Maximising Scotland’s onshore wind opportunity means bringing forward new projects while repowering our existing fleet with more efficient technology. Doing both can deliver more home-grown, affordable electricity while extending the jobs, investment and community benefits that have grown alongside the sector.
'But ambition must be matched by delivery. Planning, grid connections, transmission charging and routes to market need to work together to give investors confidence and turn Scotland’s onshore wind potential into lasting value for billpayers.'
The research is being released at the Onshore Wind Conference 2026, co-hosted by RenewableUK and Scottish Renewables, on 1st and 2nd September in Edinburgh.
The UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks will be addressing the conference – he said:
'Onshore wind is a vital part of how we bring down energy bills and reduce our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. It's also an industrial opportunity creating good jobs across the country.
'That's why we've lifted the ban on onshore wind in England, backed new projects across GB and consulted on how we make community benefits work even better for local people.'
The Scottish Energy Minister Stephen Gethins, who will also be addressing the conference, said:
'Most renewable electricity generated in Scotland comes from onshore wind, the product of decades of sustained support by this Government for one of the cheapest forms of power we can build.
'Onshore wind is helping to deliver jobs, drive economic growth and bring lasting benefits for communities across Scotland. By continuing to work with industry, we can build on that success and realise the full potential of Scotland’s renewable energy resources.'
Make UK’s Director of Policy & Public Affairs Verity Davidge said:
'Energy costs remain our members' primary concern, but they can see how important reaching net zero is in reducing those costs. This research chimes with our members' view that a renewable-led power system is the best way to reduce energy costs by reducing our reliance on volatile gas markets. The country can deliver on energy security and drive growth by committing to building out necessary renewable capacity. We support any adjustments to transparency of the grid to provide operators and end users with clarity, allowing a much improved investment environment. The message today is clear, net zero and energy security go hand in hand and industry is committed to this charge'.
Source: RenewableUK Scottish Renewables
