UPDATE - Brit Energy, Amec to build 600 mln stg UK wind farm
Date: 14-Dec-01
Country: UK
Author: Matthew Jones
"Exploratory work is already underway for the 600 megawatt wind farm, which will cost 600 million pounds over six years," a British Energy spokesman told Reuters.
The wind farm which is expected to be built on and offshore the island of Lewis, will have about 300 turbines and produce output similar to that of a medium sized conventionally-fuelled power station.
Once the project comes on stream it will significantly add to the amount of green energy produced in Britain.
The announcement comes on the same day the New Scientist magazine published a leaked government report calling for renewable power to provide the UK with 20 percent of its power by 2020, double the current target.
At present renewables provide just 2.8 percent of the country's power.
The government wants to increase green energy generation as part of its plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions, seen by many scientists as a contributor to global warming.
Nick Goodall of the British Wind Energy Association welcomed the news of the wind farm.
"Its looking very good for wind, as it should because the UK is Europe's windiest nation," he said.
Last month Energy Minister Brian Wilson announced a feasibility study into a 400 mile (640 km) undersea power cable from the Hebrides down the western coastline of Britain to link offshore wind farms and other renewable energy projects to the national electricity transmission network.