Aug 29 2006
The British Government's recent Energy Review outlined plans for another big push on renewables up to 2020 and progress on their development can now be easily tracked via a dynamic DTI web facility that is launching today.
On and offshore wind farms, solar power schemes, hydro electric and biofuel projects across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales can all now be located at the click of a mouse.
Commenting on the new resource, Minister for Energy, Malcolm Wicks said:
"Due to the twin concerns of climate change and security of supply we stated in the Energy Review that we want to increase five fold the amount of renewable energy capacity we have in the UK.
"The aim is for 20% of our electricity to come from clean, green energy sources by 2020 and that means a significant number of new schemes springing up. The interactive map that is going live today will allow users to monitor progress and will provide them with details of all the different types of projects being developed across the British Isles."
The site gives descriptions of the projects, along with their status - approved, under construction, operational etc - and their installed capacity.
The site also contains quarterly reports providing separate statistical updates on the delivery of renewable energy schemes in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The launch of the website coincides with the wind industry's bank holiday 'Wind Weekend' - an open day that provides an opportunity for thousands of families to be entertained with free activities and tours of their local sites.
British Wind Energy Association Chief Executive Maria McCaffery MBE said:
"Wind Weekend is a wonderful chance for everyone to experience the power of the wind for themselves and find out how wind turbines, large and small, can help us tackle climate change and keep the lights on in Britain.
"Wind energy is leading the renewables revolution in the UK, and the DTI's new dynamic map will be an excellent source of information for all renewable energy enthusiasts."
http://maps.restats.org.uk