Restrictions dropped to encourage expansion in offshore wind farm construction

The government's new generation of wind farms offers a huge business opportunity for British firms, according to the energy minister.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced yesterday that it would allow 25GW of offshore wind generation capacity – roughly one-third of the UK's total capacity – to be built in England and Wales.

The DECC also overturned plans for a 12-mile “buffer zone” around the UK's shores, meaning wind farms will be cheaper and easier to construct.

Turbine
The DECC is to allow 25GW of offshore wind generation capacity to be built in England and Wales

Lord Hunt, the energy minister, told delegates at the British Wind Energy Association conference that the sector was a “huge opportunity for the UK industry”, potentially creating 70,000 new jobs and £8bn in revenue.

He said: “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 has pledged to generate 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

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