BUILDING of a huge £175 million wind farm off the Dorset coast could start by 2015 as part of one of the largest construction projects in the world.

Crown Estate officials told councillors from Bournemouth and Christchurch that the plan is to derive 15 per cent of UK energy – and 30 per cent of its electricity – from renewable sources by 2020.

Among the zones identified for possible offshore wind farms is one to the west of the Isle of Wight.

Dermot Grimson, head of external affairs for the organisation, said the government would be expressing its view on the plan next week, when an environmental assessment is due to be published. “Until an announcement is made, there is no basis for any further offshore development,” he said.

Developers would be chosen towards the end of this year, and sites would be chosen in 2010. “Between now and 2013, developers will have to have done all their consultation and design work,” said Mr Grimson.

Although local authorities would be consulted, plans would be considered in the same way as airport or nuclear power stations developments – more like an inquiry than a traditional planning application.

Mr Grimson added that planning consents would have to be in place by 2014 so that the construction of the wind farms would start “no later than” 2015.

Following an earlier presentation by the Crown Estate, which owns the seabed around the UK, Bournemouth councillors voted in favour of a 100-turbine wind farm off Poole Bay.

The turbines could be 160 metres above sea level, but would be around 10 miles out from coastline.

The Crown Estate says a scheme to harness tidal power is being tested off the north-east Scottish coast, but is not yet commercially viable.