Oil rigs take over from offshore windmills

Barcelona News.Net
Saturday 6th November, 2010

Some off-shore wind farms in Britain are likely to be taken over by oil companies.

The wind farms could be forced out by oil rigs due to legislation that means oil companies take precedence over turbines if fossil fuels are discovered.

The Daily Telegraph has reported the projects include a 250 turbine wind farm 10 miles off the shores of Wales.

Environmental activists are hoping the little-known clause in British law will soon be patched up.

But they will be challenged by the oil companies who have been complaining that wind farms disrupt mobile drilling rigs and helicopter flights.

Under the law, existing rights granted to offshore wind farm operators can be terminated whenever the government declares a license for oil and gas exploration in the same area.

Have your say on this story