Giant offshore windfarm opens

A windfarm which produces enough energy to power 200,000 homes per year has world has opened off the south coast of England.

The world's largest offshore wind farm has opened off the south coast of England.

Officials of energy company Vattenfall say the Thanet offshore wind farm has 100 turbines and will produce enough energy a year to power the equivalent of more than 200,000 homes.

The UK's onshore and offshore wind turbines now produce enough energy to power all the homes in Scotland.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne says the British government is committed to producing more renewable energy.

Pressure group Friends of the Earth, meanwhile, wants the government to guarantee funding of at least STG2 billion ($A3.2 billion) a year for the Green Investment Bank.

The bank aims to boost private-sector spending on low-carbon technology.