UK’s Largest Onshore Wind Farm Gets Green Light, Marking Revival of Sector
Cubico Sustainable Investments, backed by major Canadian pension funds, has announced a £200 million ($260 million) investment to build the largest onshore wind farm in England, marking a significant revival of the sector after a near decade-long hiatus, Bloomberg reports.
The proposed 100 megawatt Scout Moor II wind farm in the northwest of England is the first major onshore wind project to receive approval under the new Labour government. This follows the party’s decision to lift a ban on such developments implemented by the previous Conservative administration.
This project is crucial to the UK’s ambitious climate and energy goals, aiming to power over 100,000 homes by the end of the decade. It will play a key role in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s commitment to decarbonizing the country’s power grid by 2030.
“Our proposal for Scout Moor II reflects our strong confidence in the UK renewables sector and Britain’s potential to become a global clean energy powerhouse,” said David Swindin, CEO of Cubico. “We’re encouraged by the government’s vision to accelerate the build out of renewable energy infrastructure across the country, and we are committed to delivering projects that decarbonize our power system, enhance energy security, and benefit local communities.”
The project holds significant potential to alleviate pressure on the UK grid. While Scotland boasts the best wind conditions in the country, its projects often struggle to deliver power to demand centers in England due to insufficient grid infrastructure. Investments like Scout Moor II could address this challenge by bringing clean energy closer to consumption centers, thereby reducing costs.
