Whether you're a developer, landowner, business or resident — understanding the UK's renewable energy planning system is the first step. This guide covers every consent route, policy framework and support mechanism.
Different stakeholders need different information. Choose your pathway below.
Navigating consent routes, NPS, NSIP thresholds, CfD, grid connections and planning conditions.
Reduce energy costs, meet net zero targets and generate revenue from renewable assets.
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Land is the fundamental requirement for most renewable projects. Maximise the value of your land.
The consent route depends on the technology, size and location. Getting this wrong at the start delays projects by years.
| Technology | Size Threshold | Route | Decision-maker | Typical Timescale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore wind | Any size | NSIP / DCO | Planning Inspectorate (PINS) | 4–6 years |
| Onshore wind (England) | >50 MW | NSIP / DCO | Planning Inspectorate (PINS) | 3–5 years |
| Onshore wind (England) | ≤50 MW | Town & Country Planning | Local Planning Authority | 1–3 years |
| Onshore wind (Scotland) | >50 MW | Section 36 Energy Act | Energy Consents Unit | 2–4 years |
| Onshore wind (Scotland) | ≤50 MW | Town & Country Planning | Local Planning Authority | 1–2 years |
| Onshore wind (Wales) | >10 MW | Section 62D (PEDW) | Planning & Environment Decisions Wales | 2–3 years |
| Solar farm (England) | >50 MW | NSIP / DCO | Planning Inspectorate | 3–5 years |
| Solar farm (England) | ≤50 MW | Town & Country Planning | Local Planning Authority | 1–2 years |
| BESS (standalone) | >50 MW | NSIP / DCO | Planning Inspectorate | 2–4 years |
| BESS (standalone) | ≤50 MW | Town & Country Planning | Local Planning Authority | 0.5–1.5 years |
| Pumped storage hydro | Any size | NSIP / DCO or Section 36 | PINS or Energy Consents Unit (Scotland) | 4–7 years |
| Small hydro (run-of-river) | <1 MW | Town & Country Planning | Local Planning Authority | 6–18 months |
| Tidal stream (offshore) | Any | Marine Licence + NSIP | Marine Scotland / MMO + PINS | 4–6 years |
| Domestic solar / small wind | <1 MW | Permitted Development (usually) | N/A (some notifications required) | Days–weeks |
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects require a Development Consent Order. The process is managed by the Planning Inspectorate.
Required for most renewable energy projects above certain thresholds.
CfD is the UK government's main mechanism for supporting large-scale renewable energy. Projects bid in competitive auctions for long-term revenue certainty.
Developer identifies site, obtains planning consent and secures grid connection offer. Must have planning consent before bidding in the auction.
DESNZ runs annual CfD auctions. Technology-specific "pots" (Established, Emerging, Remote Island Wind). Projects bid a strike price (£/MWh). Cheapest bids are accepted until the budget is exhausted.
Winning projects receive a 15-year (generation) CfD. Strike price is indexed to CPI. When wholesale price exceeds strike price, developer pays back the difference to the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC).
Developer secures debt and equity financing. Construction begins. Milestone dates must be met or CfD can be terminated.
Project generates electricity and receives top-up payments when market price is below strike price. 15-year contract runs from COD. Project continues to operate after expiry, selling at market price.
| AR Round | Year | Notable Technologies | Offshore Strike Price (2012 prices) | Solar Strike Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR1 | 2014 | Offshore wind, biomass, wave | £115/MWh | ~£50/MWh |
| AR2 | 2017 | Offshore wind, solar, wind | £57.50/MWh (record at time) | ~£50/MWh |
| AR3 | 2019 | Offshore, onshore, solar | £39.65/MWh | ~£41/MWh |
| AR4 | 2022 | Offshore, onshore, solar, tidal | £37.35/MWh | ~£45/MWh |
| AR5 | 2023 | Offshore, onshore, solar, tidal stream | No offshore bids (cap too low) | ~£47/MWh |
| AR6 | 2024 | Offshore, onshore, solar, BESS (planned) | ~£44/MWh (record volume) | Record low |
The grid connection is frequently the critical path for UK renewable projects. The queue crisis is real — but major reforms are underway.
By 2024, over 700 GW of projects were queued for grid connections — far exceeding any plausible deployment. Most were speculative with no planning consent. NESO and Ofgem's queue reform programme aims to remove "zombie" projects and create a merit-based queue.
Reducing energy costs while meeting net zero targets is now a boardroom priority. Here's your roadmap.
A long-term agreement to buy electricity from a renewable generator at a fixed or indexed price.
Solar farm developers pay annual lease payments to landowners, typically for 30–40 years.
Combining solar panels with continued farming. Lease income AND agricultural production.
Devolved planning. Wind and large hydro consented by Scottish Ministers via Section 36. Strong offshore wind pipeline (ScotWind). Energy Consents Unit (ECU) leads large project consents.
Welsh Ministers consent projects >10 MW (wind), >350 MW (other). Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). Tidal/marine: NRW and MMO.
NSIP regime: PINS for >50 MW. LPA for below threshold. NPPF and NPS EN-3 are primary policies. National Grid is dominant transmission operator.
Devolved to NI Executive. Department for Infrastructure (DfI) handles energy planning. NIE Networks for grid connections. Strong onshore wind and growing offshore interest in the Irish Sea.
NSIP/PINS for >50 MW. Marine Licence from Marine Scotland or MMO. Crown Estate seabed leasing. OFTO regime for offshore transmission assets.
Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey have independent planning and energy systems. Alderney Race (Channel Islands) holds world-class tidal potential under review.
Now you understand the planning landscape — dive into the detailed guides for each renewable technology.