Energy giant E.ON is planning further investment in Cumbria which could see the number of wind turbines in the region increase to 500.

The company is reportedly looking to build 100 more turbines off the West Cumbrian coast, which would generate enough energy to supply almost 200,000 homes.

This is on top of the 60 wind turbines it is busy erecting at the £325 million Robin Rigg farm in the Solway Firth.

Robin Rigg is one of the UK's largest renewable schemes and the first turbine was installed there late last year.

Ian Johnson, Robin Rigg Project Manager, said, "it's a fantastic sight on the Solway at the moment with a fleet of vessels putting in foundations, turbines and cables. I think it's fair to say that things are really coming together".

When complete, the 60-strong wind farm will generate enough energy to power around 120,000 homes. It will also displace the emission of 235,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

Robin Rigg will be an important part of the local community for the next 20 years and the team responsible for the daily running of the farm has been sourced locally. A total of 15 wind turbine technicians, three wind farm engineers, a maintenance coordinator and a local administrator have been recruited.

The development is part of E.ON's multi-billion pound investment programme on green power generation.

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