Energy Secretary John Hutton today announced proposals to open up the British coast to wind farms that could provide up to 33GW (gigawatts) of offshore wind energy with plans that mean there could be more than two offshore wind turbines per mile of the UK coastline. He also announced that he will chair a panel of experts to advise him on renewable energy, to help the Government's meet its EU target of 20% renewable energy by 2020.
Speaking to the European energy industry in Berlin, Mr Hutton launched a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the seas surrounding the UK, paving the way for a possible 'third round' of wind energy development and beyond.
"The draft plan I'm setting out today could allow companies to develop up to 25GW of offshore wind by 2020, in addition to the 8GW already planned.
"This potential major expansion will be subject to the outcome of a Strategic Environmental Assessment. But if we could manage to achieve this, by 2020 enough electricity could be generated off our shores to power the equivalent of all of the UK's homes. This could be a major contribution towards meeting the EU's target of 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020.
"The challenge for Government and for industry is to turn this potential - for our energy and economy - into a cost-effective reality. This will be a major challenge.
"By 2020 enough electricity could be generated off our shores to power the equivalent of all of the UK's homes"
The 'first round' of offshore wind farms, in 2001, comprised a number of small demonstration projects. The 'second round', in 2003, resulted in the award of options for leases for larger scale projects in three designated areas - the Thames Estuary, the Greater Wash and the North West.
Based on current plans under the first and second leasing rounds, about 8GW of capacity could be operational by around 2014. This includes the 1GW London Array which is the largest planned offshore wind farm in the world.
The proposal for a possible 'third round', and further regular rounds, of offshore wind development announced today would open up the vast bulk of the UK's continental shelf to large scale development. It would allow for up to a further 25GW of offshore capacity on top of the planned 8GW. In total this could generate enough power for up to 25 million homes by 2020.
The Government is also working on a regulatory regime to ensure that all offshore projects can connect to our onshore electricity transmission and distribution networks, quickly, securely and as cheaply as possible.
The thrust of the idea was backed by Tory Alan Duncan: "We're an island nation. There's a lot of wind around."
Mr Duncan added, on BBC One's Politics Show: "We should use that offshore capacity for generating electricity that's clean and secure.
"So yes, I think it's inevitable and a good thing that there will be more offshore wind."
Friends of the Earth's renewable energy campaigner, Nick Rau, said the group welcomed the government's announcement.
"The potential power that could be generated by this industry is enormous," he said.
"Making Britain a world leader in this form of energy will create jobs, boost the economy and help put Britain at the forefront in the battle to combat climate change."
Wind turbines have proved to be controversial onshore and offshore.
There have been concerns about their visual impact, the impact on wildlife such as birds and the offshore ones' impact on shipping and fishing.
Speaking to the European energy industry in Berlin, Mr Hutton launched a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the seas surrounding the UK, paving the way for a possible 'third round' of wind energy development and beyond.
"The draft plan I'm setting out today could allow companies to develop up to 25GW of offshore wind by 2020, in addition to the 8GW already planned.
"This potential major expansion will be subject to the outcome of a Strategic Environmental Assessment. But if we could manage to achieve this, by 2020 enough electricity could be generated off our shores to power the equivalent of all of the UK's homes. This could be a major contribution towards meeting the EU's target of 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020.
"The challenge for Government and for industry is to turn this potential - for our energy and economy - into a cost-effective reality. This will be a major challenge.
"By 2020 enough electricity could be generated off our shores to power the equivalent of all of the UK's homes"
The 'first round' of offshore wind farms, in 2001, comprised a number of small demonstration projects. The 'second round', in 2003, resulted in the award of options for leases for larger scale projects in three designated areas - the Thames Estuary, the Greater Wash and the North West.
Based on current plans under the first and second leasing rounds, about 8GW of capacity could be operational by around 2014. This includes the 1GW London Array which is the largest planned offshore wind farm in the world.
The proposal for a possible 'third round', and further regular rounds, of offshore wind development announced today would open up the vast bulk of the UK's continental shelf to large scale development. It would allow for up to a further 25GW of offshore capacity on top of the planned 8GW. In total this could generate enough power for up to 25 million homes by 2020.
The Government is also working on a regulatory regime to ensure that all offshore projects can connect to our onshore electricity transmission and distribution networks, quickly, securely and as cheaply as possible.
The thrust of the idea was backed by Tory Alan Duncan: "We're an island nation. There's a lot of wind around."
Mr Duncan added, on BBC One's Politics Show: "We should use that offshore capacity for generating electricity that's clean and secure.
"So yes, I think it's inevitable and a good thing that there will be more offshore wind."
Friends of the Earth's renewable energy campaigner, Nick Rau, said the group welcomed the government's announcement.
"The potential power that could be generated by this industry is enormous," he said.
"Making Britain a world leader in this form of energy will create jobs, boost the economy and help put Britain at the forefront in the battle to combat climate change."
Wind turbines have proved to be controversial onshore and offshore.
There have been concerns about their visual impact, the impact on wildlife such as birds and the offshore ones' impact on shipping and fishing.
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