The UK has enough wind-energy capacity to power over 3.3million homes, according to industry body RenewableUK.
It said yesterday that the country now had installed capacity of six gigawatts (GW) after the Ormonde windfarm offshore Cumbria became operational.
Chief executive, Maria McCaffery, described the milestone as a landmark achievement, adding: “There’s a great feeling of pride throughout the industry that we’ve reached a record high of 6GW and there is a further 19.5GW of capacity under construction, consented, or in planning. The UK Government’s renewable-energy roadmap is calling for 31GW of onshore and offshore wind combined by 2020, and we’re confident that we can deliver this if we continue to get the right . . . government support.”
Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander, the MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, said the figure demonstrated the importance of wind in the UK’s energy mix.
He said: “We are eager to ensure that the UK becomes the natural home for the most innovative, ambitious and inspiring renewable-energy companies in the world.”
Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said work had started on £750million of Scottish renewables projects in the past year, adding: “We are working closely with the UK Government to ensure electricity market reforms continue to maximise opportunities to capitalise on Scotland’s unique natural resources.”
