Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Growing the UK’s onshore wind capacity – policy support and the future direction for the industry
09:40 to
10:05
- Crucial insights on Clean Power 2030’s onshore wind targets – where are we now and what measures are in place to meet these?
- What are the government’s priorities for the sector and what’s next?
- The latest updates on the SSEP and what this mean for future development
Panel discussion: What is needed to successfully drive onshore schemes forward?
10:05 to
10:55
- How has the market evolved across England and Wales and where are new development opportunities emerging?
- What are the key blockers that remain following the lifting of the ban and how can these be addressed?
- Learning from Scotland’s onshore sector – what are the differences and what can be applied in England and Wales?
- Reducing risks for developers – overcoming planning delays and grid constraints
- Beyond CfD - aligning the consenting process with project delivery to reach financial close
Morning networking and refreshments
10:55 to
11:25
Practical guidance on securing consent – navigating planning routes and implications of recent case law for onshore wind
11:25 to
11:50
- Insights on the consenting process for repowering onshore wind farms
- What are the planning routes available for new schemes and what has changed following reforms?
- Lessons learned from Raeshaw Farms v Scottish Ministers and what it means for future applications
Planning for repowering and unlocking the potential of existing assets – what works best?
11:50 to
12:15
- What should be considered when preparing for repowering projects over the next 10-15 years?
- Maximising existing infrastructure – how can access roads and grid connections be reused and upgraded?
- Managing environmental and landscape impacts when replacing existing turbines with larger models
Bridging the onshore wind grid capacity gap – where are the opportunities and what is needed to connect?
12:15 to
12:40
- Directing new onshore schemes in areas that need them most – where are additional projects needed across England and Wales?
- How can developers take advantage of the capacity gap? Positioning projects to meet requirements and qualify for the next application window
- Transmission network investment and planned upgrades required to accelerate development
Networking lunch
12:40 to
13:40
Where can onshore wind go? Identifying suitable sites by balancing land availability, access rights, and environmental impacts
13:40 to
14:05
- How to identify the best location for your scheme – considering land access, wind resources, and construction traffic
- Assessing peatland challenges and other environmental impacts
- Coordinating land agreements with grid requirements, environmental surveys, and planning constraints
- Alternative approaches to site selection where land availability is limited
Panel discussion: Overcoming aviation and defence barriers to keep projects moving – from early engagement to effective mitigation measures
14:05 to
14:50
- Understanding the effects of turbines on radar systems – what types of interference can occur and what are the main concerns?
- Effective engagement with MOD, NATS and airport operators - how can developers address aviation and defence constraints at an early stage?
- Exploring available mitigation technologies – from radar upgrades and turbine design to lighting requirements
Afternoon networking and refreshments
14:50 to
15:20
Managing landscape and visual effects – addressing the challenges of larger turbines and cumulative impacts
15:20 to
15:45
- Assessing the landscape effects of larger turbines – including layout, visibility, and impacts on cultural heritage assets
- Exploring design and mitigation measures that reduce the visual impact of onshore wind on surrounding communities
- Addressing cumulative impacts where multiple schemes are proposed within the same area
Strengthening community engagement for onshore wind – building trust and addressing local concerns
15:45 to
16:10
- Engaging communities with limited experience of onshore wind development – what approaches are most effective?
- Communicating the potential impacts of larger turbines, including changes to local landscapes
- Addressing residents' concerns about turbine noise, visual impact, and movement
- Tackling misconceptions about onshore wind
Chair’s closing remarks
16:10 to
16:20
Close of conference and networking drinks
16:20 to
17:20