Renewable planning › Consent Clock
Consent Clock: permissions granted, schemes not built
41.3 GW of consented UK renewable capacity, across 2,247 schemes, is still recorded as awaiting construction past its statutory commencement deadline — 30% of the whole consented-but-unbuilt pipeline. Another 8.1 GW reaches that deadline inside the next six months. The period is 3 years in England and Scotland and 5 in Wales and Northern Ireland, and each scheme is measured against its own.
These are not expired permissions
A permission past its commencement date has not necessarily lapsed. REPD records neither the commencement condition on the decision notice nor whether a material operation has begun — and once development lawfully begins, the permission is implemented and stops expiring. Large schemes are frequently given a longer period by condition than the statutory default. DESNZ also records a separate Planning Permission Expired status, so every scheme counted here is one it has not marked expired. Read this as a list of consents worth checking against the decision notice, never as a list of consents that have gone.
How long consents have been sitting
| Time since consent | Schemes | Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|
More than 2 years past its commencement deadline Long past the statutory default. Either implemented, extended, or lapsed. | 370 | 12.4 GW | |
Past its commencement deadline Past the default for its jurisdiction, within the last two years. | 1,877 | 28.9 GW | |
Reaches the deadline within 6 months The window where a developer would normally either start work or apply to extend. | 628 | 8.1 GW | |
Reaches the deadline in 6 to 12 months Far enough out that a decision to build, sell or extend is still open. | 581 | 11.3 GW | |
Comfortably inside the period More than a year of the commencement period still to run. | 2,106 | 78.5 GW |
Two regimes, not one. The deadline above is the statutory default under the Town and Country Planning Act and its devolved equivalents. It does not apply to a generating station consented by a Development Consent Order under the Planning Act 2008, or in Scotland by an Electricity Act 1989 s.36 consent — those set their own commencement article, standardly five years and increasingly seven. 26.9 GW of the 41.3 GW past-deadline headline (65%, across 110 schemes) is in projects at or above the 50 MW DCO threshold, so for most of the capacity here the clock shown is indicative rather than the one that actually governs the consent. Read the largest schemes against their own order.
By technology
| Technology | Consented, unbuilt | Past deadline | Within 6 mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar | 24.2 GW · 3,705 | 8.7 GW · 1,568 | 1.8 GW · 464 |
| Battery storage | 67.8 GW · 1,231 | 12.7 GW · 359 | 5.5 GW · 100 |
| Onshore wind | 7.3 GW · 348 | 3.6 GW · 166 | 715 MW · 28 |
| All other technologies | 40.0 GW · 278 | 16.3 GW · 154 | 153 MW · 36 |
| All technologies | 139.2 GW · 5,562 | 41.3 GW · 2,247 | 8.1 GW · 628 |
Where the unbuilt capacity sits
Local planning authorities holding the most consented capacity that is past its commencement deadline and still awaiting construction. Schemes consented nationally — by the Planning Inspectorate under a DCO, or by Scottish Ministers under Electricity Act s.36 — have no local planning authority and are excluded from this table, though they are included in the totals above.
| Authority | Schemes | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| North Yorkshire · England | 49 | 1.2 GW |
| Trafford · England | 7 | 1.1 GW |
| South Norfolk · England | 13 | 664 MW |
| Aberdeenshire · Scotland | 41 | 560 MW |
| Wiltshire · England | 33 | 559 MW |
| South Holland · England | 12 | 556 MW |
| King's Lynn and West Norfolk · England | 17 | 490 MW |
| East Riding of Yorkshire · England | 35 | 458 MW |
| Lancaster · England | 9 | 456 MW |
| Thurrock · England | 4 | 452 MW |
| Highland · Scotland | 24 | 434 MW |
| South Cambridgeshire · England | 10 | 401 MW |
Largest consents past their commencement deadline
| Scheme | MW | Consented |
|---|---|---|
Hornsea 3 Orsted (formerly Dong Energy) · The Planning Inspectorate - National Infrastructure · Wind Offshore | 2955 | 2020-12-305 yr 8 mo agoThis consent was granted 5 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. That is well past the 3-year default for England, so either work has lawfully begun, the permission was extended, or it has lapsed — the decision notice is the only way to tell. |
Hornsea 4 Orsted (formerly Dong Energy) · The Planning Inspectorate - National Infrastructure · Wind Offshore | 2600 | 2023-07-123 yr 2 mo agoThis consent was granted 3 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for England. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
Coire Glas SSE Renewables · Scottish Government (S36) · Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity | 1500 | 2020-10-155 yr 11 mo agoThis consent was granted 5 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. That is well past the 3-year default for Scotland, so either work has lawfully begun, the permission was extended, or it has lapsed — the decision notice is the only way to tell. |
The East Anglia Array - Norfolk Vanguard East RWE Renewables UK Limited · The Planning Inspectorate - National Infrastructure · Wind Offshore | 1380 | 2022-02-114 yr 7 mo agoThis consent was granted 4 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for England. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
The East Anglia Array - Norfolk Vanguard West RWE Renewables UK Limited · The Planning Inspectorate - National Infrastructure · Wind Offshore | 1380 | 2022-02-114 yr 7 mo agoThis consent was granted 4 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for England. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
Inch Cape Red Rock Power (ICOL) · Marine Scotland · Wind Offshore | 1080 | 2017-05-169 yr 4 mo agoThis consent was granted 9 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. That is well past the 3-year default for Scotland, so either work has lawfully begun, the permission was extended, or it has lapsed — the decision notice is the only way to tell. |
Carrington Power Station, Manchester Road - Battery Storage Wainstones Energy Limited · Trafford · Battery | 1040 | 2023-07-203 yr 2 mo agoThis consent was granted 3 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for England. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
East Anglia 2 (EA 2) Scottish Power Renewables · The Planning Inspectorate - National Infrastructure · Wind Offshore | 900 | 2022-03-314 yr 5 mo agoThis consent was granted 4 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for England. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
East Anglia 1 North (EA 4) Scottish Power Renewables · The Planning Inspectorate - National Infrastructure · Wind Offshore | 800 | 2022-03-314 yr 5 mo agoThis consent was granted 4 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for England. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
Cruachan Hydro Expansion Drax Power Limited / Stantec UK · Scottish Government (S36) · Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity | 600 | 2023-07-213 yr 2 mo agoThis consent was granted 3 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for Scotland. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
Spalding Energy Park - Battery Storage Intergen Limited · South Holland · Battery | 550 | 2023-06-143 yr 3 mo agoThis consent was granted 3 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for England. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
Seagreen Phase 1A SSE / Seagreen Wind Energy Ltd · Marine Scotland · Wind Offshore | 540 | 2019-12-066 yr 9 mo agoThis consent was granted 6 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. That is well past the 3-year default for Scotland, so either work has lawfully begun, the permission was extended, or it has lapsed — the decision notice is the only way to tell. |
Longfield Longfield Solar Energy Farm Limited (part of EDF Renwables) · The Planning Inspectorate - National Infrastructure · Solar Photovoltaics | 500 | 2023-06-263 yr 2 mo agoThis consent was granted 3 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for England. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
Eggborough Power Station, Selby Road - Battery Storage Eggborough Power Limited · North Yorkshire · Battery | 500 | 2023-01-173 yr 8 mo agoThis consent was granted 3 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for England. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
Red John Pumped Storage Statkraft · Scottish Government (S36) · Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity | 450 | 2021-06-075 yr 3 mo agoThis consent was granted 5 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. That is well past the 3-year default for Scotland, so either work has lawfully begun, the permission was extended, or it has lapsed — the decision notice is the only way to tell. |
Gateway Energy Centre - Battery Energy Storage Intergen Limited · Thurrock · Battery | 450 | 2023-01-133 yr 8 mo agoThis consent was granted 3 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for England. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
Glenmuckloch Pumped Storage Hydro Buccleuch Estates · Scottish Government (S36) · Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity | 400 | 2016-11-299 yr 9 mo agoThis consent was granted 9 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. That is well past the 3-year default for Scotland, so either work has lawfully begun, the permission was extended, or it has lapsed — the decision notice is the only way to tell. |
Hunterston Grid Services Complex - Energy Storage Facility Amp Energy · Scottish Government (S36) · Battery | 400 | 2022-01-054 yr 8 mo agoThis consent was granted 4 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for Scotland. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
Kincardine Grid Services Complex - Energy Storage Facility Amp Energy · Scottish Government (S36) · Battery | 400 | 2022-01-054 yr 8 mo agoThis consent was granted 4 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for Scotland. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
Stargoose Farm - Battery Storage Solarcentury Limited / Statkraft Uk Limited · South Cambridgeshire · Battery | 312 | 2022-04-144 yr 5 mo agoThis consent was granted 4 years ago and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction, so it has passed the 3-year statutory default for England. Check the decision notice for the actual condition and whether a material operation has begun. |
Reaching the deadline within six months
The largest consents now inside the window where a scheme on a standard condition would need to start work, apply to extend, or be sold. Measured against each scheme's own jurisdiction: 3 years in England and Scotland, 5 in Wales and Northern Ireland.
| Scheme | MW | Consented |
|---|---|---|
Coalburn II Energy Storage Facility - Battery Storage Facility Alcemi Storage Development Limited · Scottish Government (S36) · Battery | 1000 | 2024-01-242 yr 7 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for Scotland within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Fanny House Farm, Bay Gateway - Battery Storage Innova Renewables · Lancaster · Battery | 940 | 2023-11-282 yr 9 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for England within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Normanton Energy Reserve - Battery Storage Exagen SPVO2 Limited · Blaby · Battery | 500 | 2024-01-162 yr 8 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for England within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Blackdyke Farm, Blackford - Battery Storage Innova Renewables · Cumberland · Battery | 400 | 2023-10-052 yr 11 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for England within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Camsiscan Farm, Craigie - Battery Energy Storage System Noriker Power Limited · Scottish Government (S36) · Battery | 350 | 2024-01-262 yr 7 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for Scotland within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Saundercroft Farm - Battery Energy Storage System Exeter Storage Limited (Statera Energy) · East Devon · Battery | 290 | 2024-01-122 yr 8 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for England within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Todhills and Westlinton - Harker Battery Energy Storage Facility Windel Energy · Cumberland · Battery | 200 | 2024-03-142 yr 6 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for England within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Printworks Road - Stalybridge Battery Storage Zenobe Energy · Tameside · Battery | 150 | 2023-12-152 yr 9 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for England within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Wilton International, Greystones Road - Phase 1 Sembcorp Utilities (UK) Limited · Redcar and Cleveland · Battery | 150 | 2023-10-042 yr 11 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for England within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Energy Isles Wind Farm Energy Isles / Stratcraft · Scottish Government (S36) · Wind Onshore | 126 | 2023-10-022 yr 11 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for Scotland within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Cloiche Wind Farm Scottish & Southern (SSE) · Scottish Government (S36) · Wind Onshore | 125 | 2023-11-302 yr 9 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for Scotland within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Glendye Estate Coriolis Energy/ ESB · Scottish Government (S36) · Wind Onshore | 104 | 2023-10-272 yr 10 mo agoThis consent reaches the 3-year default for Scotland within the next six months and the scheme is still recorded as awaiting construction. If the permission carries the standard condition, that is the window to start work or apply to extend. |
Does a planning permission expire if the developer never starts?
A planning permission normally carries a condition requiring development to begin within a statutory default period, and that period is not the same across the UK: three years in England (Town and Country Planning Act 1990 s.91(5)(a)) and Scotland (Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 s.58(1)(a)), but five years in Wales (s.91(5)(b), as amended by the Planning (Wales) Act 2015) and Northern Ireland (Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 s.61(1)(a)). Every scheme on this page is measured against its own jurisdiction's default. If a material operation has not begun by then the permission lapses and a fresh application is needed. The period is a default, not a rule — a decision notice can set a longer one, and five years is common on large or phased schemes even in a three-year jurisdiction. Once development has lawfully begun the permission is implemented and no longer expires.
How much consented UK renewable capacity is sitting unbuilt?
139.2 GW across 5,562 schemes is recorded in REPD as consented and awaiting construction. Of that, 41.3 GW across 2,247 schemes is past its own jurisdiction's commencement deadline — 30% of the consented-but-unbuilt pipeline by capacity. A further 8.1 GW reaches that deadline within six months. One caveat before dividing those two numbers: REPD leaves the capacity blank on 269 of the 2,247 past-deadline schemes, so the capacity is the total over the 1,978 that state one. Average scheme size across those is 20.9 MW, not 18.4 MW.
Does this mean those permissions have expired?
No, and this page does not claim it. REPD does not record the commencement condition on a decision notice, and it does not record whether a material operation has begun — so a scheme past its deadline may have been implemented, may have been given a longer period, or may have had the permission extended. DESNZ separately records a "Planning Permission Expired" status, so everything counted here is a scheme it has not marked expired. Treat the list as consents worth checking, not consents that have lapsed.
Why would a developer hold a consent and not build?
Most commonly the grid connection date sits years beyond the planning consent, so the scheme is consented but cannot physically energise yet. Others are waiting on a power purchase agreement or a CfD allocation round, are being marketed for sale as a consented asset, or were consented speculatively to establish value in the land. A consent nearing its commencement deadline is the point at which the owner has to start work, apply to extend, sell, or lose it.
Source: Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Open Government Licence v3.0. Counts cover schemes recorded as Awaiting Construction with a recorded grant date, of roughly 150 kW and above. REPD is published quarterly, so a status can be several months behind reality. Capacity is installed capacity as recorded, and REPD leaves it blank on some schemes — every capacity total here is therefore a sum over the schemes that state one, which is shown alongside each figure. Counts are over all schemes. Screening context for site selection and pipeline research, not planning advice.
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