Britain has only half the offshore wind turbines it needs to meet Boris Johnson ’s 2030 green targets, according to the industry’s trade body.
The PM has been promising a four-fold increase in renewable energy over the next eight years.
But 20 of the 40 turbine projects are only at the ‘concept’ stage and they take 13 years to build.
In his final keynote speech as PM on Thursday Mr Johnson bigged up turbines saying: “Offshore wind is now nine times cheaper than gas.”
But a report by Offshore Energies UK to be published this week will say that planning and environmental red tape must be slashed from four years to one to meet targets.
Ross Dornan of OEUK said: “Energy is a precious resource which must be properly managed, in the short and long term.
“Through constructive work with governments we can cut emissions, secure jobs and heat and power homes and industries with energy produced here.”
The UK gets 19% of its total energy from electricity but demand is projected to increase by 50% by 2035.
That’s because electric vehicles will replace petrol and diesel ones, and heat pumps take over from domestic boilers.
