How to source onshore wind farm sites in the UK

Why onshore wind is back in focus

Onshore wind is once again taking centre stage in the UK’s clean energy ambitions. The government has pledged to increase wind capacity to meet decarbonisation targets under Clean Power 2030 and Net Zero 2050. Because of this, developers are now rushing to acquire sites across England, Wales, and Scotland.

Finding viable land for wind projects today is no longer just about wind speed. Developers have to navigate a web of planning constraints, local politics, and grid bottlenecks. Success depends on identifying the right sites faster and appraising them more accurately than your competitors. 

In this guide we’ll outline the criteria that make a good onshore wind site, how to source them efficiently, and how Searchland can simplify the process. 

What makes an ideal site for onshore wind?

Core siting criteria

Wind Resource: The site must have strong and consistent wind speeds, typically above 6.5 m/s at turbine height. Open uplands, ridgelines, and coastal areas are prime candidates.

Grid Proximity: Proximity to substations and high-voltage transmission lines reduces connection costs and makes projects more financially viable.

Land Accessibility: Sites should be accessible for construction vehicles and future maintenance. Flat or gently sloped land is preferred for turbine erection.

Buffer Zones: Minimum distances from residential properties, public rights of way, and environmental designations are all critical to ensure planning compliance and reduce objections.

The planning landscape for wind projects

Understanding local resistance and national policy

While policy restrictions on onshore wind have softened, planning remains a significant hurdle. Many local authorities have yet to allocate areas for wind development. Public objections related to landscape, noise, and wildlife are common and not to be underestimated.

Developers must be proactive during the planning process with:

• Community engagement
• Landscape and visual impact assessments
• Environmental constraints analysis
• Pre-application planning discussions

Early-stage site filtering using planning data is essential to avoid wasting time on non-starters.

Using Searchland to source wind farm sites faster

Searchland gives energy developers a competitive edge by uniting planning, environmental, and grid infrastructure data in one powerful platform. With hundreds of renewable energy developers already on board, Searchland has become a go-to solution for sourcing solar, wind, and battery storage sites across the UK. Here’s how we help you find viable onshore wind farm sites:

1. Filter sites with the Sourcing Tool

Searchland’s Sourcing Tool allows users to filter parcels based on:

• Distance from existing substations
• Proximity to transmission infrastructure
• Site size and land use category
• Planning designations and constraints

You can create shortlists of viable land quickly and export results for further analysis or outreach.

2. Overlay grid Infrastructure with the Electrical Generation Tool

Searchland’s Electrical Generation layer visualises existing substations, grid-connected energy assets, and generation capacity. This tool helps you:

• Avoid grid-saturated areas
• Target underutilised substations
• Plan DNO engagement with real data

3. Assess planning viability with constraint layers

Before contacting a landowner, use Searchland’s planning constraint filters to assess the likelihood of planning success. Layers include:

• National Parks and AONBs
• SSSI and biodiversity net gain areas
• Green Belt boundaries
• Historic environment designations

Real-world example: How developers are sourcing sites

Companies like ib vogt have used Searchland to build gigawatt-scale renewable energy pipelines by sourcing better land faster. Their ability to filter by planning risk and electrical capacity made it possible to progress over 20 solar and battery storage projects in just one year.

Step-by-step: How to source a wind site with Searchland

1. Define region and grid connection parameters
   
   
2. Use the Sourcing Tool to shortlist large, unconstrained land parcels
   
   
3. Overlay Electrical Generation and planning constraint layers
   
   
4. Pull ownership data and send direct-to-vendor letters
   
   
5. Review historical planning application outcomes for red flags
   
   
6. Export site data for modelling and stakeholder engagement
   
   

This structured approach reduces time wasted on unsuitable land and helps you build a viable pipeline faster. 

Final thoughts: Find sites where others aren’t looking

Onshore wind has a big future in the UK, but competition for land is increasing quickly. Developers who adopt an efficient, data-led approach will be the ones who move from opportunity to real planning success.

Searchland is the only land-sourcing platform fully optimised for the renewables sector -enabling you to build a data-driven site pipeline at a scale and speed that manual methods simply can’t match.

Ready to build your onshore wind pipeline?

Book a demo with Searchland today and discover how our platform helps renewable developers source wind-ready sites faster using planning, ownership, and grid data in one place.

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