edenseven are following trends in the renewable energy sector closely, as decarbonising the energy sector is vital for ensuring a sustainable shift can be achieved.
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 update each quarter.
INSIGHT
Interesting to see the total capacity of solar projects continue to rise rapidly, but the average size of each project is dropping for the third year in a row. Solar now makes up 89% of all projects given planning consent in the last three years.
Number of projects granted planning permission in the last 12 months
Solar PV:
742 solar PV projects were granted planning permission, an increase of 120% compared with the previous 12 months.
Wind (onshore):
35 onshore wind projects were granted planning permission, a decrease of 39% compared with the previous 12 months.
Wind (offshore):
1 offshore wind project was granted planning permission, a decrease of 75% compared with the previous 12 months.
Total energy capacity of projects granted planning permission in the last 12 months
Solar PV:
The total energy capacity of solar PV projects granted planning permission was 4,069 MW, an increase of 44% compared with the previous 12 months.
Wind (onshore):
The total energy capacity of onshore wind projects granted planning permission was 757 MW, a decrease of 50% compared with the previous 12 months.
Wind (offshore):
The total energy capacity of offshore wind projects granted planning permission was 100 MW, a decrease of 98% compared with the previous 12 months.
Average energy capacity of projects granted planning permission in the last 12 months
Solar PV:
The average energy capacity of solar PV projects granted planning permission was 5 MW, a decrease of 38% compared with the previous 12 months.
Wind (onshore):
The average energy capacity of onshore wind projects granted planning permission was 22 MW, a decrease of 15% compared with the previous 12 months.
Wind (offshore):
The average energy capacity of offshore wind projects granted planning permission was 100 MW, a decrease of 92% compared with the previous 12 months.
Data source: DEFRA 2023 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewable-energy-planning-database-monthly-extract)
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