Great Britain has set a new record for renewable energy planning approvals, with more than 45 GW of battery, wind and solar capacity greenlit in 2025 – almost double last year’s tally and enough to power nearly 13 million homes. According to fresh analysis from independent energy market consultancy and research firm Cornwall Insight, battery storage drove much of the boom, jumping to 28.6 GW from 14.9 GW, while offshore wind approvals soared to 9.9 GW.
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This surge reflects a major shift in the UK’s renewables trajectory. Technologies like battery storage have matured rapidly, allowing developers to propose bigger projects. Some have accelerated plans ahead of network reforms that now prioritise “first ready, first needed, first connected.”
Policy reforms aim to clear the path for renewables growth
UK government moves to streamline planning and prioritise major infrastructure have helped reduce delays and give developers more certainty. Updates to the National Policy Statements and commitments to faster consenting have been welcomed by the industry and are expected to support further growth.
Yet, as Robin Clarke, Senior Analyst at Cornwall Insight, warns: “On paper, the UK’s renewables pipeline has never looked stronger. But approvals alone don’t generate electricity – we urgently need to move from ambition to delivery. Too much capacity is still stuck in queues or waiting on grid upgrades. Without faster decisions and more investment in the grid, these record numbers risk becoming just another statistic.”
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Despite approvals rising by over 400 percent in five years, the pace of delivery remains hampered by long construction timelines and grid connection delays. Recent reforms should help clear bottlenecks, but major challenges persist. Upgrading and expanding the UK’s grid will be critical if these projects are to deliver power where and when it’s needed. (TF)
