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Plans have been revealed by the UK government to transform the onshore wind sector into a major player in the nation’s energy transition strategy.
The Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy has been published as a result of the government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, that set a target of 27-29GW onshore wind capacity by 2030, a significant increase from the 16GW capacity the UK has today. Not only is the development of more onshore wind capability a critical step in meeting the UK’s net zero goals and reducing reliance on expensive gas imports but also sets the stage for a major boost to the UK’s green jobs market.
A bold target for wind power growth
The Onshore Wind Taskforce, comprising industry experts, government leaders, and stakeholders, has outlined 42 clear actions across six key areas to unlock new development opportunities and tackle existing barriers that have prevented onshore wind market growth. But arguably the biggest challenge, is the scale of growth required to deliver the additional capacity in just five years.
This acceleration marks a dramatic shift, particularly in England, where restrictive planning policies had previously acted as a de facto ban on new onshore wind projects. These policies have now been overhauled, opening the door for local projects to gain approval more easily, while still maintaining community input.
Achieving these capacity targets is no small feat. It will require faster planning approvals, upgraded grid infrastructure, and innovation in military radar and aviation technology to manage interference issues. But with challenge comes plenty of opportunity for new jobs and future careers in renewable energy.
45,000 Jobs by 2030
According to the strategy, the UK’s onshore wind industry already supports around 18,000 jobs. But if the strategy’s capacity goals are achieved, this number could surge to 45,000 by 2030, across direct and indirect roles. That means more than doubling the current workforce in just five years.
These jobs won’t just be in turbine manufacturing or installation. They are expected to span a wide range of disciplines:
Engineering - from civil and electrical to environmental and mechanical
Project management and planning
Grid and energy systems expertise
Environmental impact assessment
Community engagement and stakeholder relations
Operations and maintenance technicians
Data and digital roles, such as performance monitoring and optimisation
Many of these roles will be in rural and coastal areas, including areas of historic economic underinvestment. By situating infrastructure projects where the resource is strongest and environmental factors make onshore wind advantageous, the strategy could also support efforts to deliver high value jobs and long-term investment in local communities.
Boosting skills for a greener tomorrow
Despite the promising outlook, the industry faces challenges, primarily the shortage of adequately skilled workers to sustain its growth. The government’s strategy aims to address these gaps by encouraging the upskilling of workers and ensuring a smooth transition of skills from more traditional sectors such as construction and manufacturing to onshore wind.
During their data analysis, the taskforce recognised that there are significant opportunities for training including upskilling for roles such as turbine installation. The synergy between existing high-demand occupations and the skill requirements for onshore wind installations is evident, suggesting that many workers already possess a foundation of transferable skills. This presents an advantageous starting point for targeted training programmes and initiatives aimed at refining these skills to meet the specific needs of the onshore wind sector.
Within NRL’s branches our recruitment teams are already supporting clients to identify transferable skills and opportunities to develop talent to prepare for future expansion plans, across a range of renewable energy and net zero industries.
"As the energy sector continues to evolve, it provides a fantastic opportunity for organisations to welcome new talent into their businesses and upskill their existing workforce. It’s something we’re passionate about and are always keen to work with clients to understand the skills they need and how these can be secured by casting the net wider during the recruitment stage. It is an exciting time to make a career change to energy sectors such as onshore wind, with great career growth opportunities available to meet net zero targets."
Emma Lowden, Director of NRL’s North East operations
Did you know?
Onshore wind farms are less expensive to operate at scale, compared with offshore wind turbines. With lower running costs and cheaper infrastructure, they are one of the least expensive forms of renewable energy. They are also much quicker to construct, with installation typically only taking a few months.
Source: National Grid
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