In his foreword to the report, energy minister Brian Wilson states: "The time is now right to put in place a strategy for further advancing offshore wind energy. "
Twenty developers have obtained agreement for leases of wind farm sites around the UK coast.
These are scheduled for comissioning in 2005 and should supply around 1·4 GW of renewable energy. Wilson has given development consent to two 30-turbine projects close to Blyth Harbour in Northumberland. A further seven applications for development consent are in the pipeline.
The offshore wind industry has projected that it would be able to produce around 3-4 GW of energy by 2010, in addition to the 1·4 GW by 2005.
Offshore development on this scale would produce 40-50% of the government's renewables obligation by 2010.
Wilson is keen to encourage growth in the UK's wind industry. He comments: "A small but growing industrial base, such as turbine components and blade manufacture has begun to take shape in the UK.
"There are positive indications of a new industry finding its feet in the midst of a changing energy agenda."
The consultation paper calls for views and comments on issues such as proposed arrangements for future rounds of development leases, and provision of an offshore infrastructure for transmission.
Source
Building Sustainable Design
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