New analysis from the green charity, Friends of the Earth has revealed that 374,900 hectares, a total of 2.9% of land in England is ‘most suitable’ for new onshore wind and solar farms to generate a combined 225,000GWh.

Researchers at Exeter University’s Environmental Intelligence Centre have assisted Friends of the Earth to identify 219,800 hectares of land considered suitable for new onshore wind developments and 295,000 hectares with potential for new solar sites.

The new research commissioned by Friends of the Earth shows how lifting barriers to new onshore wind and solar power could see England alone producing 13 times more low-carbon electricity than current levels on under-utilised land. It also further strengthens developers’ complaints about continuing government reluctance to reform planning regulations and approve new wind turbine projects.

Despite analysis excluding national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs), higher-grade agricultural land, small developments, and heritage sites enough viable land was found to generate 130,421GWh of solar power and 95,542GWh of onshore wind. This far exceeds the current level of England’s present land-based output which is at 17,063 GWh combined from already built PV farms and turbines.

In all, researchers found potential onshore wind and solar PV farm sites totalling 213GW. Friends of the Earth said that combined with offshore wind and rooftop PV generation, this would be far more than even the estimated upper limit of 170.5GW renewable generation capacity needed by 2030 in a scenario modelled by the National Grid, especially when added to offshore wind and rooftop PV capacity.