Man-made hydroelectricity islands could be built off Britain

Man-made islands housing hydro-electric plants could be built off the coast of Britain in the future to support wind farms.

Experts have predicated that if a man-made island planned in the North Sea by 2020 is successful, copy-cats could be built elsewhere to generate electricity.

The North Sea island has been proposed by Dutch company Kema and would cost £2.5bn to get up and running.

The island is expected to be built 24km-32km off the Dutch coast in waters about 20m deep and will be 6km long and 4km wide.

According to the Times, huge dykes would be constructed to hold back the sea and the centre of the island would be excavated down 40m below sea level.

Pipes in the dykes would allow sea water to pour in, generating electricity for up to 2m Dutch homes.

It is currently in feasibility stage.