Wind farm cash crisis

The wind farm could produce power for 180,000 homes

Plans to build a massive offshore wind farm off the Cumbria coast could be delayed because of cash problems.

Developers behind proposals for 60 turbines at Robin Rigg wanted to start work in summer 2004.

But it has emerged that problems with financing the project could delay the work for a further 12 months.

Planning permission for the £200m scheme was granted by the Scottish Executive in March 2003.

The wind farm,, which will consist of 60 turbine towers, each 130 metres tall, will be sited on a sandbank between the Cumbrian and Galloway coasts.

It will be visible from both coastlines.

Environmental concerns

But Dan Badger, project manager from developers Offshore Energy Resources (OER), says the delay could also affect a planned visitor centre in Maryport associated with the wind farm.

He said: "Our commitment to the visitor centre is to begin funding £50,000 annually when construction of the wind farm begins.

"But if construction is delayed by a year, this would obviously delay our commitment by a similar length of time."

Protest groups have expressed concerns about the wind farm's environmental impact on the Solway.

But the developers have said the impact will be "minimal".

Energy from the wind farm will enter the national grid in Cumbria, creating enough to power about 180,000 homes.