The main objective of supporting offshore wind energy under the NFFO is to make a substantial and cost-effective contribution to future electricity needs. Energy aims The government has committed itself to develop renewable energy sources, wherever they have prospects of being economically attractive and environmentally acceptable. The minister said the consultation process will pave the way ahead. This consultation is mostly concerned with the arragenments for a first offshore wind band in future NFFO arrangements. He said the announcement was far from sounding the death knell for onshore wind.
Work is already under way on Britain's first offshore wind farm.
Border Wind was awarded the contract last year and began work in June. If the project remains on target, two 750kW turbines will be in place one mile off the Northumberland coast at Blyth by summer 1999. Civil engineer Norman Rogers said bore samples drilled from the prospective sites are being analysed, and when the results come back design work will begin. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.