Britain to fund wind energy strategies

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LONDON, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The British government said as much as $16 million in funding was available to industry leaders who can make wind turbines more efficient to run.

The government said the funding was part of a plan meant to reduce the cost of offshore wind technology.

The British Department of Energy and Climate Change said innovative strategies were needed to improve efficiency but further cost-cutting measures were needed as well.

"This cash will help innovators across the U.K. develop a range of new ideas to cut costs and make offshore wind turbines more efficient to run," Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said in a statement.

The government said it was particularly interested in technology from the aerospace, manufacturing and conventional energy sectors.

The announcement follows disputes between two key energy ministers about wind policies in the country. British Energy Minister John Hayes was criticized recently by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey for speaking out against wind energy strategies in the country.

Davey said onshore wind projects representations some of the least expensive renewable energy options and "has an important role to play in our energy future."