Newly appointed UK energy minister Malcolm Wicks has been quick to nail his colours to the mast in support of renewable energy saying, “I want there to be no doubt of our determination to push ahead on renewables.”
His opening public comments came as the government approved the 65 MW Scout Moor wind farm near Manchester in northern England after a public enquiry. The government has also agreed to £2.68 million ($5 million) in funding for a tidal energy scheme to be developed in the Orkney Islands by Newcastle-based SMDHydrovision and approved £1.35 million ($2.5 million) in funding for 14 new solar installations across the UK since the 5th May election.