Fred. Olsen Renewables has unveiled plans for a major onshore wind development near the Yorkshire Dales, proposing up to 20 turbines, each around 200 metres high. The Hope Moor Wind Farm would be located on roughly 1,130 hectares of open moorland between Barnard Castle and Richmond, just outside the national park boundary.
The project is expected to have a generation capacity of about 100 MW, enough to power more than 81,000 homes and businesses. Its scale means it has been classified as a nationally significant infrastructure project, requiring a development consent order from the Secretary of State rather than local planning permission.
Public consultation is scheduled to begin later in 2025, followed by a second phase in spring 2026. The developer plans to submit a full application in 2027 after engagement with local communities and environmental bodies.
If approved, Hope Moor would represent one of the region’s largest wind schemes, offering opportunities for local contractors, infrastructure providers, and renewable-energy suppliers to participate in its construction and maintenance. The project also aligns with national targets to expand clean energy capacity and strengthen the UK’s renewable-energy supply chain.
