Energy Minister Charles Hendry has waded into the wind power debate by asserting that the UK is “committed to supporting the development of both off and offshore wind.” Mr Hendry responded on his DECC blog to allegations by the Guardian newspaper that wind firms were putting their funds “on hold” as a result of Government policy.

Mr Hendry said: “As an island nation, the UK is lucky to have some of the best wind resource in Europe – it would be madness for us not to use this natural, secure, sustainable and free resource!”

The Government claims wind power is very much part of the mix going forward. Around a fifth of the UK’s generation capacity needs to be replaced over the next decade and DECC say wind can fill the void while new nuclear and carbon capture is still being built.

Mr Hendry said the mechanisms for future wind were in place: “Investors should be assured that we are committed to wind for the long term- It is a vital to our low carbon energy mix, to tackling climate change and creating economic growth.

“Since the start of this financial year, we have seen over £600 million of investment in the industry, and the creation of hundreds of supply chain and manufacturing jobs which will drive economic growth.”