edenseven continues to closely monitor and report on trends in the renewable energy sector.
Considering the recent DEFRA quarterly update of their renewable energy planning database, we have produced a consolidated summary of projects in the United Kingdom that have received planning permission. This is something that we will continue to do each quarter.
Overall there have been some encouraging developments in renewable projects for 2022. Some key developments:
- 2022 saw the most combined solar and wind projects granted planning permission on record; however, the total MW capacity was the third highest, lagging behind 2014 & 2015.
- There is a continued trend of smaller-scale projects receiving planning permission, particularly for Solar PV, with 2022 having the most solar projects granted planning permission on record, and 45% more than 2015.
Number of projects granted planning permission in the last 12 months
Solar PV:
In 2022, 670 solar PV projects were granted planning permission, an increase of 157% compared with 2021.
Wind (onshore):
In 2022, 41 onshore wind projects were granted planning permission, a decrease of 33% compared with 2021.
Wind (offshore):
In 2022, 3 offshore wind projects were granted planning permission, an increase of 200% compared with 2021.
Total energy capacity of projects granted planning permission in the last 12 months
Solar PV:
In 2022, the total energy capacity of solar PV projects granted planning permission was 3,950 MW, an increase of 58% compared with 2021.
Wind (onshore):
In 2022, the total energy capacity of onshore wind projects granted planning permission was 977 MW, a decrease of 33% compared with 2021.
Wind (offshore):
In 2022, the total energy capacity of offshore wind projects granted planning permission was 3,500 MW, an increase of 94% compared with 2021.
Average energy capacity of projects granted planning permission in the last 12 months
Solar PV:
In 2022, the average energy capacity of solar PV projects granted planning permission was 6 MW, a decrease of 39% compared with 2021.
Wind (onshore):
In 2022, the average energy capacity of onshore wind projects granted planning permission was 24 MW, remaining consistent with 2021.
Wind (offshore):
In 2022, the average energy capacity of offshore wind projects granted planning permission was 1,167 MW, a decrease of 35% compared with 2021.
Data source: DEFRA 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewable-energy-planning-database-monthly-extract)
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