Wind is the most mature of renewable energy technologies, apart from hydroelectricity and the burning of biomass. In recent years, the use of wind turbines to generate electricity has grown remarkably: by 25 per cent in 2007, according to the World Wind Energy Association.

Growth rates are likely to remain strong, and the WWEA predicts that there will be 160GW of wind capacity by 2010. Wind turbine technology has also progressed, with bigger turbines and a wider choice of offshore models. Turbines capable of producing up to 5MW are now becoming available for offshore use, and 3MW turbines onshore are replacing the smaller 1.5MW turbines that were standard a few years ago. These turbines have also been made more efficient. Clipper Windpower, based in the US, said in September it was developing a 7.5MW turbine for offshore use, at a site in the north-east of England.