England’s largest onshore wind farm could be built in Greater Manchester
Cubico Sustainable Investments has revealed £200m plans for a renewable energy complex that would have the potential to power 100,000 homes – roughly 10% of the city region’s energy needs.
Powered by 21 turbines reaching up to 180 metres, the 100-megawatt wind farm would be constructed next to Scout Moor, an existing wind farm situated between Edenfield, Rawtenstall, and Rochdale. If the 100-megawatt capacity is achieved, it would be England’s largest onshore wind farm by a longshot – well ahead of the 68-megawatt Keadby Wind Farm in North Lincolnshire.
Rob Tate, head of UK development at Cubico, said: “We’re excited to launch Scout Moor II, which will enhance the UK’s capacity to generate clean energy on home soil, bolstering energy security and contributing to lower bills.
“After three years of comprehensive assessments, we’ve confirmed that this site is one of the most promising locations in England for onshore wind energy.”
Cubico has begun the first stage of the public consultation process, which will run to November 26. The consultation can be accessed at scoutmoor2.co.uk. A second round of consultation is set to be held early next year.
Plans are due to be submitted in the second quarter of 2025, according to Cubico. If they can secure approval in 2026, construction on Scout Moor II could begin in 2027. This would enable the wind farm to be operational in 2029.
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Factoring in both the construction of the wind farm as well as its 40-year operational period, the scheme would represent a £200m investment, according to Cubico.
The company has also declared it will create a community wealth fund as part of its proposals. This fund would receive £500,000 annually (adding up to £20m during the project’s lifetime) that could be used to support affordable homes, apprenticeships, green space improvements, or public art.
Tate said: “Our vision embraces the North West’s industrial heritage while positioning the region as a renewable energy leader for the future.
“Community input is vital to our success, and we look forward to reviewing feedback to inform our comprehensive plans, which we will share early next year for future consideration.”
Scout Moor II is a result of the Labour government’s alterations to the National Planning Policy Framework in July, which under the previous government had restricted the development of onshore wind.
The government has a target to double Britain’s onshore wind power capacity as it strives to reach net zero targets.
Tate added: “Scout Moor II will play a vital role in advancing the UK’s commitment to a clean power system by 2030, helping to deliver secure, affordable energy to consumers in the North West and across the country.”
Cubico has stakes in various renewable projects around the UK including a solar farm in Frodsham and the Billown Solar Farm on the Isle of Man.
Great news. Cheaper more resilient energy for all.
By Anonymous
Seems like a win ..for most people anyway. I wonder are they going to build a storage facility too like the many I’ve seen in Australia albeit for solar farms.
By Anonymous
More of this. We need to get to 100% clean, home-sourced energy rapidly.
Even if it means venturing into areas we don’t want development. We can dial it back in a few decades once efficiency and technology improves. Being at the whim of external forces and pouring money out of our economy is a fast track to ruin.
By Anonymous
Adding more renewables just pushes up the cost of electricity- we already have the highest domestic and commercial electricity prices and adding more uncertain supply into the grid only makes exasperates this
By Stuart wood
HI Anon – not sure its more resilient – if the wind doesn’t blow. But yes if had battery might be!
By Bob Dawson
Anybody commenting from Rochdale or Rawtenstall? 21 500-feet turbines on moorland, plus access roads, and nobody mentions the pylons required to actually get power to the grid (once the wind blows. There’s a long waiting list – 2029 is a guess). 12.45pm Anonymous – the people who don’t like it next to them are always in the minority “in the national interest”. Anonymous 2.36pm – pouring money out of the economy? Do your homework, this is a Canadian Pension Fund.
By Dave C
@Stuart Wood – it’s not renewables that push up the price of electricity – it’s gas.
As technology improves, renewables are becoming cheaper and cheaper. We all want to use electricity, so why don’t we just use the free stuff the natural world provides for us. This is excellent news – and really pleased to see Cúbico putting money back into the local community. How many traditional power stations do that?
By Mancunian
10% isn’t bad.
In Cheshire East their policy ENV9 Wind Energy, restricts development on “landscape” grounds, essentially saying no.
This was despite the erratum to the evidence base identifying “the minimum technical potential wind resource was calculated to generate 143% of the electricity demand in 2030 with large scale turbines contributing 91% of the borough’s demand and small scale 52%.” – the cumulative potential was higher.
The data is shown on page 104 of the LDA report used as the evidence base in the SADPD.
And that was in 201 – just imagine how much energy could have been supplied to the borough with different people in charge, and the advances in technology.
By Anonymous
Mancunian
It the cost of renewables that is pushing up the cost the uk and Denmark has the highest domestic and commercial electricity prizes – but have spent heavily on wind- the cost per kWh is far above the current gas prize
By Stuart wood
@ November 07, 2024 at 10:50 am
By Stuart wood
Denmark is also a successful country with a dynamic and innovative business scene. It’s using energy on its doorstep, like the UK is doing. A lot of gas come from unstable regimes like Russia.
Wind, hydro/wave *and* nuclear is the energy mix I believe we should be going for.
By Rye
If at first you don’t succeed try try again! ”
After three years of comprehensive assessments…”? when two large schemes in the same general area were rejected in 2017 by HM Government following a public enquiry and comprehensive report by the Planning Inspectorate. This project isn’t about the delivery of secure, affordable energy to consumers in the North West; let’s be honest, it’s about making money for a Canadian pension fund. The existing Scout Moor wind farm was sold off to MEAG. Munich Ergo Asset Management Gmbh. It’s all about the money. How green was my valley?
By Davy T
Dave C, I’d put a 500ft turbine on my roof if I could. If some Canadian folks are willing to lend me the money to pay for in the first place, great.
By Anonymous
Not much wind generation for the last three weeks as there’s no wind, nor any forecasted for the next three weeks. Thank goodness we still have functioning gas generation, for now
By Eco realist
So many fossil fuel simps in this comments section. BP isn’t going to take you on a date you know
By Anonymous
I await the announcement, from London Labour, on the allowing of windmills on the South Downs and the Chilterns. There are plenty of nice hills down there, suitable for this type of project.
By Elephant