Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, is poised to rewrite Britain’s planning rules to clear the path for a massive expansion of wind and solar energy, effectively reducing local powers to block or alter green energy projects.
Under proposed changes, wind turbines and solar farms of a certain scale will be classified as “nationally significant infrastructure projects” (NSIPs), granting them the same priority status as airports and major power plants.
As part of Labour’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, any wind farm exceeding 100 megawatts (MW) in capacity—equivalent to about 15-20 turbines—would fall under national jurisdiction. This shift will give unelected planning inspectors, rather than local communities and councils, the final say on whether projects proceed. Solar developments meeting these criteria will also follow the same rules, potentially ending an era of local-level control over large renewable energy schemes.
The Government expects the reforms to unlock around £40 billion of private sector investment every year up to 2030, as Britain aims to decarbonise its power grid and reduce dependence on imported gas. However, the announcement, published on Friday, makes no mention of Miliband’s pre-election pledge to cut household bills by £300 a year, focusing instead on long-term cost stability and energy security.
By fast-tracking approvals, Labour hopes to double onshore wind capacity from 15 gigawatts (GW) to nearly 30GW by 2030, which could mean up to 3,000 new turbines, including taller models of up to 800 feet. Solar capacity is also set to more than triple, from 15GW to about 50GW, potentially covering around 500 square miles of farmland with panels.
Miliband argued the reforms are essential if the UK is to achieve fully decarbonised power by 2030, saying: “A new era of clean electricity offers a positive vision for Britain’s future, with energy security, lower bills in the long run, and good jobs.”
Critics warn that the move strips communities of their right to object, and they are likely to object even more strongly if the Government pushes ahead with measures to limit legal challenges. The plan hints at cutting “bites of the cherry” for High Court reviews, curbing the number of times a project can be challenged once it’s approved.
Regional green energy targets are also expected, requiring each area to host a set amount of wind and solar farms. Such plans are already stirring local discontent: in Cornwall, farmers recently protested against a large-scale solar project, and opposition may intensify as these rules come into force.
Renewable energy developers, largely responsible for meeting the clean power deadline, will invest billions to realize these ambitions. Although some savings in the long run may be possible, much of the initial cost may eventually be recovered through customers’ energy bills.
Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, accused Miliband of reneging on his promise to cut consumer bills by £300 and warned that rushing toward a 2030 deadline could drive up prices further. “We need cheap, reliable energy and he must put living standards first,” she said.
The announcement comes as recent calm and cloudy weather—described as a “dunkelflaute”—has forced Britain’s grid to rely heavily on gas, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring reliability amid a rapid renewables rollout.