Restrictions eased on wind farm construction in the UK

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced today that it would allow 25GW of offshore wind generation capacity, about 33%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.

Lord Hunt, the energy minister, told delegates at the British Wind Energy Association conference “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....This year will see a ramping up of our business development activities, to support our offshore wind ambitions. We’re fully committed to developing this sector to increase capacity and reduce costs going forward."