Swinford Onshore Wind Farm | 22 MW Renewable Energy Facility in the United Kingdom

Swinford is an operational onshore wind farm located in the United Kingdom, owned by Nuon UK. With a capacity of 22 MW, it falls within the small-to-medium scale for UK onshore wind, which typically ranges from 10 MW to 100 MW. The facility is part of the UK's growing renewable energy portfolio, supported by the Contracts for Difference (CfD) framework, which provides stable revenue for low-carbon electricity generation. The UK has a strong regulatory environment for onshore wind, with projects often requiring planning permission and grid connection agreements. The CfD scheme, introduced in 2014, has been instrumental in driving investment in wind energy, alongside the UK's legally binding target of net-zero emissions by 2050. Swinford's capacity of 22 MW is typical for a medium-sized onshore wind farm, contributing to the UK's total onshore wind capacity of over 14 GW. Environmentally, onshore wind farms like Swinford play a key role in reducing carbon emissions by displacing fossil fuel generation. The facility's location in the Midlands benefits from moderate wind speeds, and its operation supports local grid stability. While onshore wind can have visual and land-use impacts, the UK's planning system requires environmental assessments to mitigate effects on local communities and wildlife.

The United Kingdom's onshore wind sector operates under strict planning regulations that address visual impact, noise, and ecological concerns. For facilities like Swinford, environmental assessments typically evaluate bird and bat collision risks, habitat disruption, and landscape integration. The UK's Renewable Energy Directive targets and net-zero commitment drive the expansion of wind energy, balancing generation benefits with local environmental stewardship.