By Susanna Twidale LONDON (Reuters) -Britain is launching its first ever onshore wind strategy, designed to boost renewable power capacity and increase jobs in the sector, the government said on
UK Unveils Onshore Wind Strategy to Boost Jobs and Renewable Energy
By Susanna Twidale
LONDON (Reuters) -Britain is launching its first ever onshore wind strategy, designed to boost renewable power capacity and increase jobs in the sector, the government said on Friday.
Britain is aiming to largely decarbonise its electricity sector by 2030 as part of efforts to meet its climate goals, boost energy security and reduce power costs by curbing its reliance on expensive fossil fuels.
“Rolling out more onshore wind is a no-brainer – it’s one of our cheapest technologies, quick to build, supports thousands of skilled jobs and can provide clean energy directly to the communities hosting it,” Energy Minister Michael Shanks said in a statement from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The government said the move could help create around 45,000 jobs.
Under the strategy it is launching 40 actions to help boost onshore wind projects such as offering funding for things like football pitches or libraries in communities hosting the projects, working to repower existing wind turbines coming to the end of their lifespans and improving the planning process for new projects.
“The measures outlined will increase confidence among investors and developers, so that we can attract billions in private investment and create thousands of highly-skilled jobs and new supply chains all over the country,” James Robottom, Head of Onshore Wind Delivery at industry group RenewableUK said in the government statement.
Britain currently has around 16 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind power but is targeting 27-29 GW by 2030.
(Reporting By Susanna Twidale; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
