New analysis has shown that if projects are consented within timescales the UK could double its onshore wind power to 30GW by 2030.
With the right planning framework in place research from industry body RenewableUK indicates that wind capacity could rise from 13.6GW.
Projects that are being considered in this research include all UK onshore wind farms that are operational, under construction, consented, submitted into the permitting system or being developed for submission into permitting.
RenewableUK said that increase in capacity would take place as technology costs fall and as onshore wind is re-admitted to the UK's contract for differences (CfD) auction regime.
Some of the most significant developments in the pipeline will come after 2025, which is four years after onshore wind will compete in the CfD tender for the first time since 2015.
The Climate Change Committee for the Government has advised that the UK should have 35GW of onshore wind by 2035, which RenewableUK believes could be achievable with prompt consent of projects and a supportive policy framework put into place.
Rebecca Williams, the industry body's head of policy and regulation commented:
"Next year's auction for new clean energy contracts is a crucial step in unlocking the new jobs and investment that onshore wind can deliver as part of the green recovery.
"Our latest forecast shows what’s possible, but we need the right policy levers and regulation in place to make it happen."
