The wind farm will be sited off the coast of Norfolk

The �75m project is for 30 turbines at Scroby Sands, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Vestas Celtic Wind Technology, based in Macrihanish, Argyll & Bute, will carry out all the offshore work on behalf of Powergen Renewables.

Energy Minister Brian Wilson called the announcement a signal of the growing role renewable energy would play in the future of the UK's energy requirements.

Renewable energy

"This contract confirms the potential of renewable energy projects to create manufacturing jobs throughout the UK," he said.

"Wind farms in East Anglia will mean prosperity for Kintyre.

"Last month, when we published the Government's White Paper on energy policy, we announced our aim to double the share of renewable electricity to 20% by the year 2020.

"This is a challenging target, but one which provides enormous opportunities for our engineers, scientists, manufacturers and businesses."

'Bright future'

The turbines will produce enough electricity to power 41,000 homes and the development will be one of the UK's first offshore wind farms.

Alan Raymant, head of green generation at Powergen, said: "It's a major step forward for offshore wind in the UK and for the home-grown manufacturing industry."

The company expects to begin work on the wind farm this autumn, with completion by the autumn of 2004.

Tom Pedersen, managing director of Vestas Celtic Wind Technology, said: "The UK market for wind turbines is gaining momentum, and the recently published White Paper from the government predicts a bright future for wind power in the UK."