Onshore electricity generation - Electricity Act threshold: consultation
We are seeking views on increasing the 50MW threshold which determines whether applications for onshore electricity generating stations are decided by Scottish Ministers or by the relevant planning authority.
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72 days to respond
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Annex A - Relevant Statistics
Criteria: Number of determinations in 2025/2025 financial year.
Section 36 Consent Applications
33 Section 36 applications for electricity generating stations determined in 2024/2025.
Source: ECU operational statistics
Planning Applications
64 'major' electricity generation planning applications determined in 2024/2025.
22 of these were subject to a processing agreement.
Source: Planning Application Statistics 2024/2025
Criteria: Approvals
Section 36 Consent Applications
32 approvals
1 refusal
96.9% approval rate.
Source: ECU operational statistics
Planning Applications
53 approvals
11 refusals
82.8% approval rate.
Source: Planning Application Statistics 2024/2025
Criteria: Appeals / Inquiries
Section 36 Consent Applications
In 2024/2025 DPEA issued 5 wind farm PLI Reports to Scottish Ministers. It took them on average 47.6 weeks to issue an inquiry report.
Source: DPEA operational statistics
Planning Applications
In 2024/2025 DPEA determined 4 wind farm appeals made under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. It took them on average 27.6 weeks to make a determination.
Source: DPEA operational statistics
Profile of Projects
Information from the Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD) shows that during Q2 2025 there were 352 on-shore renewable electricity generation projects currently going through the planning/consenting process in Scotland (‘application submitted’). Of these, 320 projects had information about the generating capacity of the development. The breakdown of these 320 projects is as follows:
| Capacity of Project | Category of Development | Determining Authority | Number of projects |
|---|---|---|---|
|
0 – 19.99MW |
‘local’ development (Planning Act) |
planning authority | 80 |
| 20MW – 49.9MW |
‘major’ development (Planning Act) |
planning authority |
109 (32 of these projects had a generation capacity of 49-49.99MW) |
| 50MW – 99.99MW |
S36 development (Electricity Act 1989) |
Scottish Ministers | 64 |
| 100MW – 149.99MW |
S36 development (Electricity Act 1989) |
Scottish Ministers | 39 |
| 150MW – 199.99MW |
S36 development (Electricity Act 1989) |
Scottish Ministers | 5 |
| 200MW Upwards |
S36 development (Electricity Act 1989) |
Scottish Ministers | 23 |
| Total Projects | 320 | ||
‘Local’ developments (0-19.99MW) by technology type
Solar Photovoltaics: 18
Battery: 20
Wind Onshore: 38
Small Hydro: 2
EFW Incineration: 1
Biomass: 1
Total Projects: 80
‘Major’ developments (20 – 49.99MW) by technology type
Solar Photovoltaics: 12
Battery: 62
Wind Onshore: 35
Small Hydro: 0
EFW Incineration: 0
Biomass: 0
Total Projects: 109
S36 developments (50 – 99.99MW) by technology type
Solar Photovoltaics: 6
Battery: 15
Wind Onshore: 43
Small Hydro: 0
EFW Incineration: 0
Biomass:
Total Projects: 64
S36 developments (100 – 149.99MW) by technology type
Solar Photovoltaics: 1
Battery: 14
Wind Onshore: 23
Small Hydro: 0
EFW Incineration: 0
Biomass: 0
Pumped Storage Hydro: 1
Total Projects: 39
S36 developments (150 – 199.99MW) by technology type
Solar Photovoltaics: 0
Battery: 2
Wind Onshore: 3
Small Hydro: 0
EFW Incineration: 0
Biomass: 0
Total Projects: 5
S36 developments (200MW upwards) by technology type
Solar Photovoltaics: 0
Battery: 14
Wind Onshore: 5
Small Hydro: 0
EFW Incineration: 0
Biomass: 1
Pumped Storage Hydro: 3
Total Projects: 23