The EWEA report, entitled Oceans of Opportunity, said more than 100gigawatts of offshore wind projects are being planned in 15 EU member states and other European countries. Under EU legislation, 20% of EU energy consumption must be derived from renewable sources by 2020.

The report was backed by EU energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs who said: "Harnessing the winds off Europe's coasts would provide an answer to the global challenges of climate change, depleting indigenous energy resources