LONDON, May 17 (UPI) -- The British government and the region's industrial leaders should work together to ensure the country becomes a world leader in offshore wind, a minister said.
British Energy Minister Michael Fallon and ScottishPower Chief Executive Officer Keith Anderson led the first meeting of a British wind sector council.
Fallon said broad-based cooperation is needed to ensure renewable energy in the country not only contributes to energy security but also to economic growth.
"Britain has a real chance to lead the world in the offshore wind sector, not least because of our weather," he said in a statement.
The British government this year said it was giving offshore wind energy $3.4 million to drive down costs.
The government said wind energy would help advance a low-carbon economy, adding support for innovation would help the country cut the costs of offshore wind 25 percent by 2020.
"It is vital that the renewable energy industry and the government continue to work closely together to unlock all of the social and economic advantages of developing offshore wind power, as well as the major environmental benefits," Anderson said in a statement.
The British government is committed to a goal of having 30 percent of the country's electricity generated by renewable resources by 2020.
