£400 Million deal will see more turbines built in the UK

Millions of pounds could be spent on wind energy projects in the Westcountry following the official completion of a £400 million financing deal by one of the UK's leading integrated energy companies. RWE Innogy yesterday completed the deal, which has secured additional funds for the development of its wind energy business. National Wind Power, a subsidiary of RWE Innogy, is spearheading onshore and offshore wind energy developments in the UK.

Yesterday, Alan Moore, managing director of National Wind Power, said: "This £400 million is to fund our development right across the UK over the next three years, but there is an opportunity for some of it to be invested in the South West." Mr Moore said as much as £50 million could be invested in the Westcountry through the construction of a proposed wind turbine site at Muston Down in Dorset. He said National Wind Power would be putting in for planning permission for a 23-turbine site, which would generate 60MW of power. This would be sufficient for about 22,500 homes, or one-twelfth of the number of homes in Dorset. Mr Moore pointed out that none of the money would go towards offshore windfarms in the Westcountry because the only sites earmarked for these so far are in the Thames Estuary, the Wash and off the north-west of England. The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy for the South West, launched in Plymouth last year, set out a plan for getting up to 15 per cent of the region's power from renewable energy by 2010. RWE Innogy chief executive Andrew Duff said the deal would play an important in the future development of the business's plans.

"Wind power is a vital part of our portfolio and the increased leverage this brings to our leading development capabilities and balance sheet strength will ensure that we remain at the forefront of this growing market," he said. "It means we can continue playing a major part in meeting the Government's environmental targets for renewable energy development. We look forward to working with our new financial partners." Through National Wind Power, RWE Innogy is commissioning North Hoyle, the UK's first major offshore windfarm, about five miles off the North Wales coast between Rhyl and Prestatyn and comprising 30 wind turbines with a total capacity of 60MW. National Wind Power was recently allocated two out of 15 offshore sites announced by the Crown Estates Commissioners and the Department of Trade and Industry. The firm has also bought the development rights for an offshore windfarm site off the Welsh coast called Rhyl Flats with a capacity of around 100MW.