Driven by the need to combat climate change, Mr Aubrey said about $US31 billion in wind power projects that will produce 20,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity will be invested in Northern European seas alone

In addition to the Horns Rev wind farm in Denmark, which will supply about 150,000 households, Germany has plans for up to 12,000 MW of wind farms on its shortish coast. In addition, the Dutch, Irish, Belgians and even Britain are also developing offshore wind farms.

"It's a sign that the wind energy industry has entered a new phase in which the seeds of technological maturity are bearing fruit in economies of scale," Mr Aubrey said.

While offshore wind farms may be the new frontier, Mr Aubrey said Spain and Scotland are forging ahead with larger wind farms on land. Thanks to its open spaces and driving winds, Spain is now second in the European wind farm league.

Despite Mr Bush's anti-Kyoto stance, the US wind industry is also experiencing a major revival, according to Mr Aubrey. Ironically, Texas is now home to the world's largest wind farm, the 250MW 'King Mountain' scheme, built by a team led by UK company, Renewable Energy Systems.

"One reason why the wind industry has been able to embark on a larger projects is that it is now trusted by the banks, whose loans are crucial to its progress," Mr Aubrey said.

He added positive reports on wind's technological potential written by Europe's investment analysts have also given the industry a shot in the arm. "This has brought in a new wave of investors keen to share the clean power dividend.

"Most dramatically, these include the oil giant Shell, which recently bought two large wind farms in the US, and General Electric, which bought Enron Wind after its fortunes got entangled with those of its bankrupt parent.

"What wind energy has proved is that it is possible to move from the marginal into the mainstream with clear financial incentives and technology innovation, cutting both costs and emissions in the process," Mr Aubrey said.