New Energy Secretary Ed Miliband recently discussed the launch of a UK Onshore Wind Taskforce at Parliament. This taskforce will aim to accelerate the UK’s onshore wind industry.

This announcement comes along with the relaunch of the UK solar taskforce. Among many clean energy targets, the UK government is eyeing to x2 onshore by the end of the decade by reaching about 30 gigawatts with the current level close to 15 gigawatts.

Boosting Onshore Wind

According to Miliband, the taskforce will work along with developers to help propel an array of projects. Miliband will chair the taskforce with Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables.

In order to achieve their key goals, the taskforce is aiming to connect figures from areas such as:

• Government
• The Onshore Wind Industry
• Regulatory Bodies
• The Financial Sector

Miliband also recently highlighted how the taskforce will work on restoring a pipeline of England-based projects. Miliband noted how he believed this pipeline was lost as a result of strict planning rules for onshore wind from 2015.

One of the taskforce’s key objective is to consider how onshore wind projects may affect local environments and the electrical system at large. Therefore, they will seek to make sure that such projects are sustainable.

As already alluded to, the taskforce will seek to find and address hurdles to onshore wind, including financial, policy or regulatory obstacles.

It is not yet clear exactly how the taskforce will address such challenges. The finer details will likely become clear in the months ahead including the extent to which regulations or policies will remain the same.

Further, the taskforce will look at taking continued steps to reduce costs. They will also act to support/enable investment in new jobs, skills and national supply chains. Ultimately, the taskforce will take a wide range of steps to enhance and expand the UK onshore wind industry.

Labour’s Renewable Energy Vision

Earlier this month, polling from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) showed that about 78% of the public has an overall positive view of onshore wind.

This includes 37% strongly supporting and 41% having more moderate support. Per this poll, a total of 5% oppose the technology and around 17% either responded with ‘don’t know’ or expressed neutral views.

The Onshore Wind Taskforce is just one part of Labour’s ambitious vision to transform the UK energy sector.

Along with launching the GB Energy initiative to support clean energy projects nationwide, the government is targeting 100% clean and affordable electricity by 2030.