National energy policy sets out the path we need to take to create a greater diversification of our energy generation sources to combat future climate change and to reduce the countries vulnerability to rising international energy prices. This path is within a larger drive to decarbonise the economy.

At present the majority of our domestic and industrial energy needs come from nuclear, coal and gas fired power stations with our transport system dependent on oil to power it.

A focus on increased electrification will see a reduction in our dependence on gas and coal for energy generation and, where this is not possible harnessing, a rise in the use of Carbon Capture and Storage (see below). Alongside this is a significant increase in renewable energy generation from photovoltaic and solar generation on homes to onshore and offshore wind turbines. Offshore wind will play a major part in this revised energy mix.

Offshore Wind

The development of offshore wind farms is part of this national drive to decarbonise the economy and our energy generation. Sites at Dogger Bank and Hornsea are two of the largest offshore wind farms in the country. The site at Dogger Bank is projected to generate 9-13GW (gigawatts) of energy which is equivalent to 10% of the UK's projected electricity needs.

These developments are just two of the nine sites in Round 3 of offshore wind farm developments in UK waters. These build on the smaller Round 1 and 2 developments. For more information on the Round 3 developments click here.

Carbon Capture and Storage

This is a process where the emissions from power stations are captured and the carbon dioxide is removed and then pumped out to underground chambers in the North Sea. This technology has yet to be proven to be commercially viable but a demonstration project is underway at the Hatfield mine and power station north of Doncaster. Fore information on the process and project click here.