The world’s largest wind farm opened in the UK

Environmental campaigners have urged the Government to invest more in renewables, as the world’s largest offshore wind farm is officially opened off the UK coast.

The Thanet offshore wind farm, off the south east coast of England, has 100 turbines which will produce enough green energy a year to power the equivalent of more than 200,000 homes.

Energy company Vattenfall, which has constructed the farm – now the biggest offshore wind site in the world – said the electricity produced substantially increases the amount of green power generated in the UK.

The total capacity of the UK’s onshore and offshore wind turbines now exceeds 5GW, enough to power all the homes in Scotland.

The progress on wind power was welcomed by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne, who is attending the official launch of the wind farm.

Mr Huhne said: “We are in a unique position to become a world leader in this industry. We are an island nation and I firmly believe we should be harnessing our wind, wave and tidal resources to the maximum.

“I know that there is still more to do to bring forward the large sums of investment we want to see in low-carbon energy in the UK, and we as a Government are committed to playing our part.”

Friends of the Earth warned the UK’s record on renewable energy remains “dismal”, and called on ministers to invest more in green power, saying it would also deliver jobs and low-carbon industry.

The environmental group wants to see the Government guarantee funding of at least £2 billion a year for the Green Investment Bank, which aims to boost private sector spending on low-carbon technology.

It is also calling on ministers to remove the barriers to developing offshore wind, for example by upgrading ports so they can ship out offshore wind turbine parts.
Source: Press Association