Minister for energy, Brian Wilson, has called for more industry participation in promoting wind power as a competitive form of energy.
The minister was speaking at the opening of Sainsbury's chilled groceries depot in East Kilbride – a pioneering scheme which is run from power generated by a 600 kW wind turbine.

Wilson (pictured right) says: "We have introduced a number of measures to make green energy more competitive. But government action is not enough on its own. Industry must put forward ideas and investment, as has happened in this case.

"The green opportunity for British industry arises from the creative application of innovative technology. This project alone shows how renewable energy can affect ordinary peoples' lives. Here, it freezes our food and soon it could be heating our homes and lighting our streets."

The Scottish scheme is being viewed as a prime example of how wind power can be a competitive form of energy.

It incorporates a turbine which provides over a third of the energy required by the 24 h, seven days a week operation. The project is said to save 1 645 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

Looking to the future the minister adds: "The government aims to build a £1 billion market for renewable energy by 2010. Direct investment of over £250 million over the next three years will contribute towards this."

Source

Building Sustainable Design