Utility companies 'focusing on environmental analysis of offshore wind farms'

Utility companies have been said to be focusing their environmental analysis research on the future of offshore wind farms.

FIM Services' Richard Crosbie Dawson has said he believes Centrica, E.On, nPower, EDF, Scottish Power and Scottish & Southern Energy are beginning to turn their attention to renewable energy sources elsewhere.

He stated that they are starting to abandon their onshore wind farms in favour of the sea-based facilities.

His comments that there has been greater interest in offshore wind farms are likely to be welcomed by Mike Childs, head of the climate change campaign at Friends of the Earth.

Mr Childs recently said a boost needs to be given to the green energy industry and stated that the government should enhance its offshore plans to encourage further investment.

Mr Dawson noted that there will be a "major" opportunity for firms to put their money in onshore land-based sites as there are "fewer players in the market for these small facilities" that generate power of between 10MW and 25MW.

Posted by Joseph Hutton