The UK government has acquired specially designed air defence radars to resolve interference issues between wind farms and national security systems. Following industry collaboration, the new radars—set for installation in early 2029—will allow offshore wind and air defence to coexist without risk.
The upgrade unlocks over 10 GW of offshore wind capacity, ensuring that a record 8.4 GW procurement—enough to power 12 million homes—can move from contract to construction. Energy Minister Michael Shanks stated the technology removes a key barrier, delivering clean power while protecting families from volatile fossil fuel markets. Defence Minister Luke Pollard added that the radars enable the Royal Air Force to monitor threats, emphasizing defence spending at 2.6% of GDP from 2027.
Benj Sykes of the Offshore Wind Industry Council called the solution a culmination of years of collaboration, unlocking billions in investment and thousands of jobs without compromising national defence.
Separately, the government has launched a consultation to unlock up to 6 GW of onshore wind near the Eskdalemuir seismic array in Scotland, proposing to block development within 15km while easing rules in the surrounding 15–50km zone.
