Energy policy in Britain and the European Union requires a substantial increase in renewable energy from wind turbines by 2020. But onshore windfarms are not popular with the public and the limitations of current production techniques mean capacity targets for windpower look increasingly unlikely to be met.rnThe Government has set a target of 33GW capacity of renewable energy production by 2020 from the country's installed base of offshore windfarms. Given that Britain's current capacity is just 500MW, there is a long way to go.rnThere will have to be a massive increase in construction capacity if the industry is to build sufficient wind turbines and their supporting structures. The turbines themselves will need to be larger (3-5MW each or more) and they will have to be installed in deeper, rougher waters further offshore. Depths of more than 20m will be commonplace.
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