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Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, visits Leicester Square wind turbine.

A full functioning turbine was installed in Leicester Square today, to mark Wind Week 2010, the annual UK-wide celebration of wind energy organised by RenewableUK in partnership with the Scottish Renewables Festiva.

Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change visited the turbine and said:
“Wind energy is at the heart of our plans for renewable energy. This week will see thousands of people visiting their local wind farms and events around the country raising awareness of the opportunities there are for energy security, jobs and business from the industry.”

The 13.5 meter (43 ft) wind turbine, installed by SIAC Wind Power, a member of RenewableUK, will be in Leicester Square until 4pm today.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) released wind deployment statistics ahead of Global Wind Day tomorrow showing that wind turbines represented 39% of all energy generating plant installed in the EU in 2009. EWEA also forecasts a 13% annual rise in capacity in 2010, taking the total to 85GW of wind energy capacity EU-wide.