UK to invest $250 bn investment in green energy

The move is being fuelled by the UK's looming energy crisis.

Within five years, many of the existing nuclear and coal power stations will be shut - leaving a gaping hole at the heart  of the national grid.

At the same time, the EU is demanding that 15 per cent of the UK's energy comes from renewable sources such as solar, wind, tide and wave power.

Yesterday's consultation paper says most of that extra green energy should come from an expansion of wind farms - from 2,000 today to around 7,000 by 2020.