The Tech Herald: Experts call for rethink of siting of British offshore wind farms - by Richard Bowden

For the complete report from The Tech Herald click on this link

Experts call for rethink of siting of British offshore wind farms - by Richard Bowden

A British environmental group has called on the U.K. to review its policy on offshore wind farms in order to trim costs for the next phase of alternative energy for the country. The Carbon Trust has said in a new report titled "Offshore wind: big challenge, big opportunity" that the government should rethink the rule that states wind turbines be placed at least 70 miles from shore. The Trust claims such a move would cut around euro 20.50 billion($27.5 billion USD) or 20 percent of the cost in setting up the offshore wind farms.

Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust, said the government needed to make wind power as attractive as possible in order for the country to meet its renewable energy targets. "If we are to meet our 2020 renewable targets we need a dash for wind on a comparable scale to the dash for gas of the 1990s," he said. "Slashing the costs of offshore wind must now be a priority for UK energy policy. The Government must use the upcoming consultation on this important issue to unlock the most economically attractive sites for development. This would dramatically reduce the cost of development - essential if we are going to meet our 2020 renewable targets and deliver significant reductions in our carbon emissions.