Onshore wind is back!

Most of what Liz Truss’ new government has announced since taking power has been pretty scary for the climate. So it was a surprise that today’s mini budget contained one piece of good news: the government has finally listened to us - and removed the blocks on onshore wind!

In 2015, wrongly thinking that people of the UK didn’t like wind turbines, the then prime minister, David Cameron, introduced policies that effectively banned new onshore wind projects from getting up and running.

Onshore wind was one of the cheapest energy sources of energy (today it is *ten* times cheaper than gas), and community owned projects were sprouting across the country - but all that was ignored.

So we jumped into action to bring people together and demand the ban was lifted. We were the only national campaign group to do so - and though it has been a long slog, we never gave up:

Possible supporters discussing onshore wind potential with their MP

  • In 2018 we won an exemption for existing wind farms wanting to upgrade to produce more clean power.

  • In 2020 the government agreed it should reinstate clean energy contracts for onshore wind (and solar).

  • And today, the final hurdle - planning blocks on new projects in England - has fallen!

Thanks to so many of you, onshore wind is back in the game.

This is a huge moment for our movement. From spreading the word and challenging misconceptions, to getting MPs onboard, Possible supporters have persistently campaigned to bring back onshore wind - and we won!

I know it can often feel like we live in dark times. But our win today shows that people power really does work.

What now?

Winning on onshore wind is huge, but there is still so much to do. Today’s budget handed over billions of pounds to fossil fuel giants, fracking is back on the table - and our bills are going through the roof. 

Possible exists to turn climate despair into positive action. Everything that we all do adds up - and days like this prove that clean, cheap energy is the only way out of this crisis. It might not always feel like it, but we’re closer to winning than ever.

Will you chip in today and help build the momentum?

Onshore wind, energyHannah BlandOnshore wind