Farmers will not pay erection costs

The company will meet the cost of buying, installing and maintaining the turbines, and pay farmers for having them on their land.

It says the scheme means farmers will not have to take financial risks themselves, at a time of uncertainty in agriculture.

Ian Johnson of the National Farmers' Union said: "It sounds like another helpful measure.

"For individual farmers looking to save every penny they could be a great boon.

"I suppose there will be some concerns about how many of the things there will be and how visible they will be."

Energy targets

Friends of the Earth spokesman Ian Willmore said: "We support efforts to encourage the development of wind power.

"But the government's targets for increasing renewable energy are still too low."

The government wants 5% of Britain's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2003, and 10% by 2010.

The current figure is 3%, with a tenth of that coming from wind energy.

Cornwall already has seven wind farms.

The newest is at Bears Down, near Newquay, where Mr Wilson launched the new scheme.

Between them, their 102 giant windmills produce enough energy to supply around 27,000 West Country homes.

In all, 880 turbines are operating in Britain - the windiest country in Europe.