UK Approves Record 16.1 GW of Renewable Projects, Boosting Investor Confidence

The UK government approved 16.1 GW of new renewable energy capacity in Q2, the highest quarterly figure on record. Analysts said the surge would strengthen developer confidence and highlight Britain’s position as one of the world’s most attractive low-carbon markets.

The new approvals cover 323 projects, nearly three times the number cleared in the same quarter last year. They span large-scale solar farms, onshore and offshore wind, and battery storage.

“This scale of approval is likely to bolster developer confidence and reinforces the UK’s appeal for global clean energy investment,” said Daniela Quiroga, senior research analyst at Aurora Energy Research.

Still, she noted that more progress is needed to align with the “Clean Power 2030” target. To hit capacity goals, an additional 6.6 GW of solar and 5.3 GW of onshore wind will need consent.

Planning approval times have averaged seven months in recent years, though some offshore wind assets faced delays of up to 22 months. “Shortening approval timelines is crucial to deliver low-cost clean power to consumers more quickly,” Quiroga added.

Fintan Devenney, senior analyst at Montel Analytics, called the approvals “good news” for the sector. “While concerns remain about meeting 2030 targets, this shows that the industry is responding to government ambition. The outlook appears positive.”

The Labour government has pledged to make 95% of Britain’s power carbon-free by 2030, but developers still face long grid connection queues and legal challenges from local opposition. Planning reforms are now moving through parliament in an effort to speed things up.

Across Europe, however, large-scale renewables—particularly offshore wind—are struggling with rising costs and policy uncertainty, posing risks to climate commitments.