Wind farms supply clean, green energy but opponents are whipping up local protests to block expansion. They need your help. With good timing, as sweltering Europe ponders an overheating world, the first of 30 turbines was this week erected at Britain's first major offshore wind farm. North Hoyle is four miles out to sea off the north Wales coast, inaudible and virtually invisible. Britain has the best wind potential in Europe and the government's new energy policy at last promises no more nuclear power and a lot more wind and other renewables. But don't imagine the nuclear industry just rolled over and died. The fight is on. Despite the staggering cost of bailing out British Energy with £610m now and £3bn to come in taxpayer liabilities, the nuclear industry is doing all it can to halt the progress of wind power. When Patricia Hewitt announced the end of the nuclear era and the beginning of a better energy policy, there was a clear caveat. Her promise is for 10% renewable energy by 2010 and an aim to reach 20% by 2020. But the caveat is that wind power has to prove itself sufficiently cost-effective and reliable within the first five years when the nuclear option will be reviewed in the light of wind's success or failure. Full article here.