UK plans big increase in offshore wind power

• 5 years ago (2019-03-08)
• David Flin

Europe 1061 Offshore wind 119

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The UK Government has announced that it wants offshore wind farms to provide one-third of the country’s electricity by 2030. It made the announcement at a time when its nuclear ambitions were stumbling.

The Government said that the Offshore Wind Sector Deal will enable the private sector to make increasing use of offshore wind farms to reduce the UK’s use of fossil fuels. Offshore wind currently provides about 7 per cent of British electricity.

Claire Perry, the UK’s Energy and Clean Growth Minister, said that the new initiative: “Will drive a surge in the clean, green offshore wind revolution, bringing investment into coastal communities and ensuring we maintain our position as global leaders in this growing sector. By 2030, one-third of our electricity will come from offshore wind.”

The UK Government said that the deal “will mean for the first time in UK history there will be more electricity from renewables than fossil fuels, with 70 per cent of British electricity predicted to be from low carbon sources by 2030.” The Government statement went on to say that it “will look to seize on the opportunities presented by the UK’s 7000 miles of coastline, as the industry continues to be a coastal catalyst for many of the UK’s former fishing villages and ports.”