Plans to connect vast amounts of future offshore wind energy to the national grid have been firmed up.

The new regime could help connect enough wind-generated electricity to power the equivalent of more than 10 million homes by 2020.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Ofgem announced a final opportunity to comment on the new regulatory framework to connect offshore renewable projects to the onshore grid. The regime will ensure offshore cable connections are delivered on time and at reasonable cost to maintain an effective and secure grid. Tenders for the new regime are due to be launched in the summer.

-- Advertisement --

The UK will need to generate as much as 30-40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020 as we move towards a low carbon energy supply. Offshore wind is expected to make a significant contribution, with 8GW already planned and potentially up to a further 25GW.

Energy and Climate Change Minister, Mike O'Brien said: "This is a key building block in delivering the offshore grid we will need by 2020. The UK already leads the world in offshore wind and with Government assessing the potential for much more, we need a grid which can be built and run in the most cost effective way.

"Wind power could potentially make the single biggest contribution to our 2020 renewable energy target. It is vital we maximise the UK's natural resources to help in the fight against climate change and reduce our reliance on volatile foreign oil and gas markets."

(CD/JM)