Government plans for windfarm expansion

A wind energy plan comprising the building of 7,000 wind turbines has been announced by the government.

Nuclear power stations are also to be built as part of the drive to
Britain's target of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 60 percent by 2050 and generating 15 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Energy minister John Hutton believes that a growing wind industry could create up to 160,000 new jobs by 2020, the Telegraph reports.

It also reports that the new Planning Bill will streamline the application system to build farms more quickly, and that individuals and communities will be encouraged to buy, run and produce their own electricity.

Greenpeace executive director John Sauven was reported saying the expansion "could create jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and use less gas" as well as reducing power bills.

The Scottish government aims to produce 31 percent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2011, according to the Herald.

This week, it reported government approval for two windfarm developments to provide electricity for more than 100,000 homes.

Energy minister Jim Mather said Scotland had a "vast array of potentially cheap, renewable energy sources".