The Scottish Renewables Onshore Wind Conference 2025 brought the sector together at a crucial moment. With political headwinds, grid bottlenecks and public scrutiny on the rise, the industry is being asked to deliver more, faster and at greater scale. One theme ran through every discussion: if we want to unlock the full potential of onshore wind, we have to talk about it better.
Politics, Policy and Perception
The political environment is increasingly challenging. Negative sentiment from Reform UK, coupled with anti-wind rhetoric overseas, is shaping public debate and creating uncertainty at home. The to-do list is long, but there are positives. The rejection of zonal pricing was a win for fairness. Repowering older sites offers a chance to boost output without starting from scratch. Co-location with other technologies can bring new flexibility. The sector is clear on what needs doing: aim high, unblock projects and sort the grid.
Winning Hearts and Minds
Yet perhaps the most urgent challenge isn’t technical – it’s cultural. Public dissent is growing. Communities are asking tougher questions about what onshore wind means for landscapes, lifestyles and local economies. And they deserve answers.
This is where communication matters most. The sector must do more than just state its benefits. It must showcase them.
- Affordability: Onshore wind keeps bills lower.
- Security: It strengthens energy independence and resilience.
- Climate Action: It reduces emissions and supports national targets.
- Local Value: Projects create jobs, investment and community funds.
It’s not enough to tell people onshore wind is competitive. We have to show them through real stories, visible benefits and honest conversations.
Communication as the Superpower
Onshore wind is one of the UK’s cheapest and most reliable energy solutions. It has the potential to transform our energy system, create jobs and strengthen resilience. But none of that will happen at the speed we need unless we get better at talking about it.
The conference made one thing clear: technology, policy and planning are vital, but communication is the missing piece. It’s the superpower that will decide whether the sector can overcome political turbulence, accelerate delivery and secure public support. Onshore wind has the projects. It has the know-how. Now it needs the voice.
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