PM unveils ambitious new wind farm plans - 12/01/2010
Prime minister Gordon Brown has awarded contracts to a number of major energy suppliers to build wind farms along Britain's coastline to harness clean energy.
The project is scheduled to begin construction in 2014 and will have the capacity to deliver as much as two per cent of the UK's current energy requirements.
Firms involved in the initiative include nPower, Scottish and Southern Energy and Norwegian-based firms Statkraft and Statoil.
The wind farms are aimed at helping Britain reduce its carbon emissions and meeting a target of generating 15 per cent of all energy from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this goal, 40 per cent of electricity generation will have to come from renewable sources.
"Our policies in support of offshore wind energy have already put us ahead of every other country in the world," Mr Brown said.
"This new round of licenses provides a substantial new platform for investing in UK industrial capacity."
Wind industry figures welcomed the initiative but said the government still needs to provide more incentives if it is to attract more companies to build wind farms in Britain in the future.
If you want to find out more about your energy options and how you could save up to £378 in minutes, click here.
Save up to £300 on your gas & electricity bills at energyhelpline.com
Compare prices from all energy suppliers to find your best deal