7,000 wind turbines planned in green power revolution

The government will today announce a green power revolution, with 7,000 new wind turbines planned and financial incentives for home owners.

Business secretary John Hutton will announce a £100bn scheme including construction of 3,500 onshore wind turbines and 7,000 offshore turbines.

The plan also envisages a 90% increase in the use of ground and air-source heat pumps and the introduction of a feed-in tariff that rewards people who sell extra energy back to the national grid.

Mr Hutton said the plan could create 160,000 jobs if successful, reports the Times.

“The scale of it is unprecedented in the history of our country since the Industrial Revolution,” he said.

Housebuilding bodies have supported the call for a feed in tariff, saying it could lead to more investment in renewable technologies that will make it easier for developers to meet high levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes.