Aurora report links Scottish onshore wind to lower offshore costs

• 9 June 2026
• Government, Grid, Windfarms
• Aurora Energy

A report by Aurora Energy Research finds boosting Scottish onshore wind after 2030 could cut UK energy system costs by around £5 billion a year while supporting offshore wind deployment.

The study assesses an alternative pathway to the government’s Clean Power Action Plan, comparing current plans with a scenario that reallocates some Scottish offshore wind capacity to onshore.

The analysis identifies potential reductions of up to 6% in total system costs between 2030 and 2050. These savings are attributed to a 21% reduction in policy costs and a 13% drop in balancing costs, while maintaining a substantial offshore wind buildout.

Aurora Energy Research said the findings highlight the role of onshore wind in enabling a more cost-efficient offshore wind expansion by reducing system and integration pressures. The report warns that current policy may limit new Scottish onshore wind deployment beyond 2030, potentially increasing costs and slowing wider energy system development.

“Our analysis indicates that prioritising Scottish onshore wind development beyond 2030 could deliver material consumer savings of £5bn p.a. between 2030 and 2050,” said Nick Civetta, Project Leader at Aurora Energy Research.

The report is published ahead of the UK’s Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, which will define the country’s energy mix beyond 2030. It highlights Scotland’s 15.4GW onshore planning pipeline as a factor supporting a balanced development alongside offshore

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