Britain is on the brink of a "wind energy revolution" as the UK Government today unveils plans for a massive expansion of off-shore wind farms that could generate enough electricity to power every home in Britain.
Officials in London and Edinburgh have been in talks about Whitehall's Strategic Environmental Assessment, which could result in some 7000 turbines being installed in a concerted attempt to boost wind energy 30-fold by 2020. This represents one turbine per half-mile of coastline.
The move would make a major contribution towards achieving the EU-wide target of renewables providing 20% of Europe's energy by 2020 and turn Britain into a world leader in wind power.
Such a major expansion of wind farms in the UK could, in theory, help obviate the need for a new generation of nuclear power stations north of the border - something the SNP administration is deeply opposed to - as the surge in renewables might provide enough electricity for all of Britain's homes.
John Hutton, Westminster's Business Secretary, said: "There is the potential out there, using the resources there are around the UK to generate maybe all of the electricity households need from offshore wind sources."
Green campaigners reacted positively. Greenpeace said the UK Government plan amounted to a "wind energy revolution".
At present, just 2% of the UK's power comes from renewables with wind generating less than one gigawatt. By 2020, the UK Government hopes it could provide around 34 gigawatts, which would power 25 million homes.
The assessment, which covers the so-called UK Renewable Energy Zone, up to 200 miles offshore around the whole coastline, is due to be completed by the end of 2008 when there will be a consultation exercise.
Scottish and Northern Irish waters within a 12-mile nautical limit are not included in the plan as, according to the Business Department, there is "limited scope for development".
Given the Holyrood government is the planning authority for Scotland's territorial waters and the UK Renewable Energy Zone around the Scottish coast, ministers in Edinburgh will have the final say over any planned wind farms around Scotland which lie beyond that 12-mile limit.
Officials in London and Edinburgh made clear that both governments were working closely together on the assessment.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: "This study will provide value for money and a strategic approach to harnessing our potential within the deep water offshore wind area.
"This is one of a number of ways we can use renewable energy and oppose nuclear power."
Last month, the Scottish Government upped its 2020 targets for renewables from 40% to 50%. Jim Mather, the Energy Minister, insisted the plan would encourage the development of technology in the energy sector.
Mr Hutton, who is due to give details of Whitehall's wind power expansion plans at an energy conference in Berlin today, admitted they would radically alter Britain's coastline. "Yes, for sure. There's no way of making the shift to low carbon technology without making a change and that change being visible to people."
However, he insisted that, despite a boost to wind power, Britain would still need a range of clean sources to improve its "self-sufficiency". This meant a continuing role for nuclear energy.
"I do not want," added Mr Hutton, "in 20 years' time to find the question of whether the lights go on in the morning is down to a foreign government or someone else."
At Westminster, Alan Duncan, Mr Hutton's Conservative Shadow, offered support. "We're an island nation. We should use that offshore capacity for generating electricity that's clean and secure."
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