The UK's onshore wind industry could deliver nearly £500 million a year to local communities if the country reaches its target of 29 GW of installed capacity by 2030, according to industry association RenewableUK. The estimate forms part of an analysis to mark the 35th anniversary of the country's first onshore wind farm, Delabole in Cornwall, which began generating electricity in November 1991. The association says achieving the target would also save UK electricity billpayers £3 billion annually compared with generating the same amount of power from new gas-fired plants.

Since Delabole's launch, the UK's onshore wind fleet has expanded to almost 10,000 turbines, with a combined capacity of 16,374 MW (16.4 GW), enough to supply almost 9,000 hospitals or charge more than 14 million electric vehicles for a year, according to RenewableUK. The sector now generates enough electricity to power around 10 million homes annually and supports 15,000 workers, a figure that could rise to 19,000 by 2030 if government ambitions are achieved.

The association's analysis breaks down the projected annual community contribution into £348 million in business and property rates and a further £145 million in direct, long-term community benefit funds. These funds can support locally selected priorities, including community buildings and facilities, environmental initiatives, skills and training, measures to tackle fuel poverty and rural isolation, and the preservation of community pubs.

The anniversary highlights the transformation of the sector since Delabole, which was built by local farmer and industry pioneer Peter Edwards. The original wind farm consisted of ten 400 kW turbines and was repowered in 2010 with four larger 2.3 MW turbines, enough to generate electricity for more than 6,000 UK homes annually. The project illustrates the role of repowering in modernising the country's ageing wind fleet, whose first-generation turbines are reaching their typical 35-year lifespan.

Repowering involves removing existing turbines and replacing them with newer, more efficient models at the same site. According to RenewableUK, this process can increase a wind farm's output by between three and ten times. Other projects are extending the operational life of existing installations by replacing specific components, such as blades, to maximise the value of current assets.

Onshore wind supplied 12% of UK electricity demand in 2025, rising to 15% in the first quarter of 2026. The sector's current capacity of 16.4 GW is supported by a supply chain of around 2,000 companies across the country, including 160 factories. These businesses are forecast to contribute £18.2 billion to the UK economy over the next decade. RenewableUK estimates that each additional gigawatt of onshore wind capacity can generate enough electricity to power more than 650,000 homes annually.

The project pipeline also points to further expansion. More than 2 GW of onshore wind capacity is currently under construction and could become fully operational within the next two years, while another 7.1 GW has received consent for development through to 2033. Overall, the UK pipeline exceeds 50 GW across more than 3,500 projects at different stages, including operational, under-construction, consented, planning-stage and early-development sites.

The government target of up to 29 GW by 2030 would bring installed onshore wind capacity to almost double its current level. RenewableUK argues that expanding the technology would strengthen energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. It also describes onshore wind as one of the cheapest sources of new electricity generation, costing less than half as much as power from new gas-fired plants, and among the fastest technologies to build.

Public support is another factor highlighted by the association. The latest government surveys cited by RenewableUK show that 73% of the public support onshore wind, compared with 7% who oppose it. When asked about having a wind farm in their local area, 37% said they would be happy with it, more than twice the 16% who said they would be unhappy.

RenewableUK CEO Tara Singh said the industry had evolved from an emerging technology into a cornerstone of the UK's energy system, bringing jobs, investment and benefits to local communities. She also pointed to the next government clean power auction, expected early in 2027, as an important opportunity to advance the 2030 targets. The previous auction, held at the beginning of 2026, secured enough new onshore wind capacity to meet the annual electricity needs of more than 1.2 million homes. Singh called for an ambitious budget for the next round, with the government expected to announce it the following week, to maximise the amount of low-cost electricity available to households and businesses.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks also marked the anniversary, saying the government had lifted the de facto ban that had held back onshore wind development in England. He highlighted the importance of supporting British workers, repowering ageing wind farms and creating jobs in local communities, while ensuring that domestically generated clean electricity helps lower household bills.