The Removal of the De Facto Ban on Onshore Wind Energy: A New Dawn for UK Wind Farm Developers

The UK Government’s recent decision to lift the De Facto ban on onshore wind energy in England, marks a significant milestone in the UK’s journey towards energy independence and sustainability. This policy shift is set to double the capacity of onshore wind energy by 2030, providing a much-needed boost to renewable energy initiatives. But what exactly was the De Facto ban, and why is its removal such good news for wind farm developers?

Understanding the De Facto Ban

The De Facto ban on onshore wind energy development in England stemmed from stringent planning regulations introduced in 2015. These regulations made it exceedingly difficult for new onshore wind projects to gain approval, effectively halting the growth of this renewable energy sector. The removal of these barriers now opens the door for a resurgence in onshore wind projects, offering numerous benefits:

• Increased Renewable Energy Production: Onshore wind is one of the most cost-effective renewable energy sources. Doubling its capacity will significantly contribute to the UK’s renewable energy targets.
• Economic Growth: The development of new wind farms will create jobs and stimulate local economies, particularly in rural areas.
• Energy Independence: Expanding onshore wind capacity reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels, enhancing the UK’s energy security.

Challenges for Civil and Military Aviation

While the removal of the ban is a positive step forward, it does present challenges for civil and military aviation. Wind turbines can interfere with radar systems, obstruct low-level flight paths, and impact precision approach systems. These challenges include:

• Radar Interference: Wind turbines can create ‘false’ targets through the creation of clutter on radar screens, impacting air traffic control and military surveillance
• Obstacle to Low-Level Flight: Turbines can obstruct flight paths, affecting training exercises and low-altitude operations
• Impact on Instrument Flight Procedure: Conflict with IFPs can compromise the safety of approach and landing operations
• Impact on Precision Approach Systems: Interference with radar systems can compromise the safety of landing operations
• Airspace Management: Changes in airspace management and flight procedures may be necessary to avoid turbine interference
• Training and Operational Adaptations: Military operations may need to adapt to the presence of wind turbines, evolving training and tactics accordingly 

How Sagentia Aviation Can Help

We understand the complexities of balancing green energy initiatives with aviation safety. Our expertise in operational, engineering, and safety capabilities across both civil and military domains positions us uniquely to support wind farm developers through the approval process. Here’s how we can help:

• Planning and Consenting: We assist in navigating the planning and consenting process, ensuring that all aviation related regulatory requirements are met
• Identifying Mitigations: Our team identifies potential mitigations to address the challenges posed by wind turbines, such as radar interference and airspace management
• Ensuring Aviation Regulatory Compliance: We work closely with regulatory bodies to ensure that all aviation safety standards are upheld, facilitating a smooth approval process

By partnering with Sagentia Aviation, wind farm developers can confidently advance their projects, knowing that aviation safety and regulatory compliance are in expert hands in our multi-discipline teams. Together, we can achieve a balanced approach that supports the UK’s renewable energy goals while maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety.