Plans have been revealed for what could be England's largest onshore windfarm and the first since the Labour government overturned a nine-year de facto ban imposed by the Conservatives.
Cubico Sustainable Investments, a renewable energy developer, said the 100 MW Greater Manchester project would involve an estimated investment of £200m and would generate hundreds of skilled jobs over its lifespan.
Scout Moor II could be operational before 2030, subject to planning approval. It is projected to produce enough electricity to power over 100,000 homes and fulfil more than 10 per cent of Greater Manchester's domestic energy requirements.
The farm, located between Edenfield and Rochdale, would represent the first significant onshore wind development since the former Conservative government established a de facto ban on onshore wind nine years ago. It would also rank as the fifth largest onshore wind power producer in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, with the top four all situated in Scotland, as reported by .
In July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves eliminated two footnotes in the National Planning Policy Framework that had effectively blocked onshore wind projects from being constructed in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ. The footnotes, which applied to no other form of infrastructure, meant some schemes were hindered if they encountered even a single objection, despite nearly all projects facing some local opposition.
The government has set a goal to double Britain's onshore wind power capacity by 2030.
Cubico currently manages over 250 MW of wind and solar projects in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, with plans to invest approximately £300m in new green initiatives in the forthcoming years. In addition to the Scout Moor II site, the company is proposing a multi-million pound Community Wealth Fund and a Moorland Restoration and Management plan to bolster biodiversity in the region.
David Swindin, CEO at Cubico, expressed that the proposals demonstrate a "strong confidence" in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's renewable sector. He added: "We're encouraged by the government's vision to accelerate the build out of renewable energy infrastructure across the country, and we are committed to delivering projects that decarbonise our power system, enhance energy security, and benefit local communities."
A government spokesperson said: "While we can't comment on this specific case, onshore wind is crucial to making Britain a clean energy superpower, boosting the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's energy independence and protecting billpayers.
"We have taken immediate action in deploying onshore wind by overturning the defacto ban, setting up the Onshore Wind Taskforce, and are delivering almost 1 GW of onshore wind at the most recent renewables auction at prices that make it among the lowest-cost power sources to build and operate."
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