The UK’s onshore wind project pipeline has surpassed 50GW for the first time, reaching 50,134 MW across projects at all stages of development, according to RenewableUK’s latest EnergyPulse Onshore Wind report. The figure represents a 3,076 MW, or 6.5%, increase from the 47,058 MW recorded in September 2025.

The pipeline includes onshore wind projects that are operational, under construction or in development, from early-stage proposals through to fully operational projects. RenewableUK said the growth reflects renewed activity in the sector, with planning submissions also reaching their highest level in more than a decade.

Operational onshore wind capacity increased to 16,361 MW in September 2026, up from 15,827 MW a year earlier. Commissioning has been on an upward trend since reaching a historic low in 2020.

Record planning submissions

Planning activity reached a new high in 2025, when 5,043 MW of onshore wind projects were submitted across the UK. This was 47% above the previous peak of 3,440 MW recorded in 2013.

England has also seen a significant increase in planning activity since the de facto ban on new onshore wind projects was lifted in July 2024. In 2025, the first full calendar year following the lifting of the ban, 233 MW of onshore wind capacity was submitted to the planning system in England.

That figure exceeded the 188 MW submitted across the entire nine-year period from the beginning of 2016 to the end of 2024 combined. The de facto ban had been introduced in June 2015.

The approval rate for onshore wind capacity by local authorities also reached 64% in 2025, matching the record level set in 2020. RenewableUK said the approval rate has risen steadily from 37% in 2018. For larger projects determined by the UK Government, the approval rate was higher, at 77%.

Scotland accounts for three-quarters of the pipeline

Scotland represents the largest share of the UK’s current onshore wind portfolio, accounting for 75% of total capacity. Wales follows with 12%, while England represents 8% and Northern Ireland 5%.

RenewableUK said the latest figures show strong industry confidence, noting that the UK’s onshore wind pipeline has grown by more than 3 GW over the past year.

The organisation also highlighted the scale of development activity in England following the lifting of the de facto ban, saying that more onshore wind capacity has entered the planning system since then than was submitted during the previous nine years combined.

Delivery remains the next challenge

RenewableUK Chair James Robottom said the sector has had another busy year, two years after the lifting of the de facto ban in England and one year after the launch of the Onshore Wind Industry Strategy.

He said the growth in the pipeline and the level of planning activity were encouraging signs, but stressed that a large project pipeline does not automatically translate into new operational capacity. Projects will still need to progress through planning, secure grid connections, attract investment and ultimately be built.

Robottom also said that delivering more onshore wind by 2030 and beyond could strengthen the UK’s energy security, reduce exposure to volatile international gas prices, support investment across the country and create economic opportunities in communities hosting renewable energy infrastructure.

According to RenewableUK, decisions on strategic energy planning, network investment and market reform will be important for the sector’s long-term deployment. The organisation also expects the political debate around energy, infrastructure and affordability to become more challenging as the energy transition accelerates.

3.5GW eligible for the current auction

RenewableUK CEO Tara Singh said the 50 GW milestone was positive for consumers, pointing to onshore wind’s position as one of the UK’s cheapest sources of new power and one of the quickest to build.

She called on the Government to secure more onshore wind capacity through the current auction for new projects. According to RenewableUK, 3.5 GW of new onshore wind capacity is eligible to bid in the current round, equivalent to nearly a quarter of the UK’s existing onshore wind fleet.

The organisation is urging the Government to secure the maximum amount of onshore wind capacity available in the auction.

The EnergyPulse report is a snapshot of RenewableUK’s interactive, daily updated EnergyPulse database, which is available free to RenewableUK members. The database provides renewable energy data, forecasts and dashboards covering offshore wind globally, as well as information on contracting activity.

RenewableUK published the latest Onshore Wind EnergyPulse report on 28 August 2026, ahead of the Onshore Wind Conference 2026, co-hosted by RenewableUK and Scottish Renewables in Edinburgh on 1–2 September.