Britain’s renewable energy industry has reached a landmark figure, after the completion of a Cumbrian wind farm. This installation brings the UK’s total capacity of wind power to 6,000 MW, which is enough to provide electricity to 3,354,893 homes around the country.

Renewable energy trade body, RenewableUK, say the 6GW of wind power was achieved when a 120 MW offshore system was turned on in Cumbria. Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, has hailed the success of wind power in the UK and has urged for more renewable energy projects both on and offshore.

He said: “This is a significant milestone for the wind industry which demonstrates the increasingly important role that renewable energy is playing in the UK’s energy mix.

“We are eager to ensure that the UK becomes the natural home for the most innovative, ambitious and inspiring renewable energy companies in the world, and we will continue to work with the industry to drive down costs and encourage even stronger growth in the years to come.”

But the installations won’t end there, with government plans to build over 31GW worth of wind power by 2020, when the government targets 15% of energy through renewables. And these massive targets have been backed by RenewableUK chief Maria McCaffery. She says 31GW will be possible with the right government support.

She said: “This is a landmark achievement. There’s a great feeling of pride throughout the industry that we’ve reached a record high of 6 gigawatts, and there’s a further 19.5GW of capacity under construction, consented, or in planning.”

In Scotland the renewable energy targets are even higher, with the government hoping to reach 100% energy through renewables. There’ll be £750 million of renewable energy projects built over the next year.

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