Octopus identifies 2.3GW of potential wind projects with local backing

Octopus Energy has identified 2.3GW of potential onshore wind projects across Britain with local backing using its new Winder “match-making” platform.

Described by the company as “Tinder for wind,” the platform matches community requests for wind turbines through its Fan Club initiative with suitable sites in the area.

Winder finds nearby landowners who have registered their interest in hosting wind turbines as part of Octopus Energy’s Plot for Kilowatts campaign and then checks whether there are sufficient wind speeds, spare grid capacity and no environmental barriers.

The firm said the 2.3GW of potential wind projects it has identified could generate enough power to meet the annual needs of 1.85 million households and unlock £3.4 billion of investment.

Zoisa North-Bond, chief executive of Octopus Energy Generation commented: “This energy crisis is caused by our dependence on gas. To end it and make sure we never find ourselves in the same position again, we need to build more cheap, green energy – and quickly.

“The current system means it takes seven years on average to build and connect a new onshore wind turbine – but it’s possible to build it in a year. Winder shows we can massively speed up this process and make a difference by next winter. It’s possible to build more wind turbines where people want them, helping to end our fossil fuel reliance, lower energy bills and unleash economic growth.”

The announcement comes as prime minister Rishi Sunak faces mounting pressure from MPs to relax planning restrictions on onshore wind in England after former levelling up secretary Simon Clarke tabled an amendment to the government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill last week to make it easier for developers to secure consent.