On the day (24 June) the competitive tender process for energy firms to connect off shore wind farms to national grid started, energy minister Lord Hunt announced the UK’s push on wind power.

The minister said offshore wind farms have the potential to provide an extra 25GW of new electricity.

Speaking at a packed press conference at the start of the British Wind Energy Association’s Offshore Wind 09 conference in London Lord Hunt said offshore wind could create up to 70,000 new jobs and £8bn in annual revenues in Britain.

Lord Hunt said: “Offshore wind is fundamental to delivering our target of 15% of renewable energy by 2020, and looking ahead to 2050 to reducing our carbon emissions by 80%.

“We’re already the world’s number one offshore wind power. With the right support, we can grow the industry even further, supporting tens of thousands of high value, green manufacturing jobs. This presents a huge opportunity for the UK Industry.”

The Government also publishing today (24 June) A Prevailing Wind: Advancing UK Offshore Wind Deployment.

Lord Hunt hopes the document will assure the industry that its investment will be matched with the necessary infrastructure and support.

The Minister also announced that the UK intends to join the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Luke Walsh

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