All UK Homes Could Be Wind Powered by 2020: Reuters

EDITOR'S NOTE: We feel that the US Government should mandate wind-powered electric energy self-sufficiency within a similar time frame. Plans already exist that call for wind turbines to be placed in New Mexico and, if necessary, in the Dakotas that can supply all of our domestic needs.

John Hutton

LONDON - December 10, 2007: According to a Reuters report this morning, John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, said that wind power alone could supply all electric needs of every British home by 2020. Wind turbines stationed around and in the wind-swept seas that surround the country would produce the energy.

In the news report, Hutton stated that presently there are 8 gigawatts of offshore wind farms planned in the UK, but the government thinks another 25 GW could be added to that by 2020. "This potential major expansion will be subject to the outcome of a strategic environmental assessment. But if we could manage to achieve this, by 2020 enough electricity could be generated off our shores to power the equivalent of all of the UK's homes." Hutton said. "The challenge for government and for industry is to turn this potential - for our energy and economy - into a cost-effective reality. This will be a major challenge."