Wind farms energy 'powerhouses'

The feasibility study, commissioned by Greenpeace, says the massive expansion of wind power would bring 60,000 jobs to the region.

The farms - stretching from Essex to the The Wash - would house 15,000 turbines covering 4,000 square kilometres.

All would be sited away from shipping lanes and important wildlife sites.

'Energy powerhouse'

The research by AEA technology, the former research arm of the Atomic Energy Authority, says the offshore turbines would create the same level of electricity as 30 conventional power stations.

The study's findings have won support from American power firm TXU and National Wind Power.

Greenpeace says the turbines, which would be up to 300-feet tall, would be "hardly visible" from the coast.

Spokesman Matthew Spencer said: "This report nails the lie that renewable energy can't deliver on a large scale - just one technology in one region of Britain can deliver a quarter of our entire power needs.

"If implemented this plan would massively decrease energy pollution in the UK and make East Anglia a powerhouse of the global renewable energy industry.

"Business is already looking at the practicalities of implementing this plan, but now we need to see Tony Blair setting high targets for renewable energy and getting behind the vision for East Anglia."