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Doctor Who Backs Offshore Wind Power

Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi has given offshore wind power the Time Lord seal of approval; launching a campaign to take over Westminster tube station in support of the technology. Capaldi posed in front of posters and ticket gates featuring pictures of mighty offshore wind turbines and slogans like ‘50% OFF’. Devised by a coalition of companies and civil society organisations including Greenpeace, WWF and the Marine Conservation Society, the campaign aims to sell offshore wind to MPs and ministers as well as the general public. In particular, they want the government to commit to projects that would help offshore wind deliver the majority of the UK’s power by 2050. Launching the campaign, Capaldi said: “Great Britain is the world leader in a technology which can generate huge amounts of energy without using any fuel. “It’s safe, secure, zero-carbon and economical. In fact it’s halved in price in just two years. That’s 50% off. It’s a great deal. And it may just save the planet. The future of energy in the UK is offshore wind power.” Capaldi, who also appeared in Local Hero which ends in the construction of an offshore (rather than onshore) oil refinery, added: “It’s a great deal. And it may just save the planet. The future of energy in the UK is offshore wind power.” As well as environmental groups, the campaign is also supported by Dong Energy, Scottish Power Renewables, Siemens Gamesa, SSE, Vattenfall and General Electric. The ‘50% off’ claim made on posters and in Capaldi’s statement refers to a recent price auction in which two offshore wind projects successfully bid at a rate that was 50% lower than contracts secured in 2015. The dramatic fall in price beat even the most optimistic expectations and, advocates hope, that it will represent the start of a new offshore energy revolution. Matthew Wright, Managing Director of Dong Energy UK said: “Offshore wind presents a massive opportunity for the UK. “Costs are falling rapidly, long-term and highly-skilled jobs are being created across the north of England and the UK supply chain is going from strength to strength. The industry has already come such a long way and we truly believe it can become the backbone of the UK’s energy transformation.” He added: “We’re seeing the benefits of commitment to this technology by successive governments and what’s so exciting is that there’s still a lot more to come.” Peter Capaldi steps down from his role as Doctor Who at the end of the year, to be replaced by the first female doctor Jodie Whittaker.


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