RENEWABLE energy could be used in local homes after two companies showed an interest in siting wind farms in two locations off the coast of Thanet.

One of the companies, London Array, is proposing to site turbines 12 miles off the coast of Margate in the outer Thames Estuary and has submitted consents and planning applications for consultation to the district council.

If built, the site could generate enough electricity for 750,000 homes, equivalent to the household demand of Kent and East Sussex combined.

The details of the application including location map, an environmental statement and a non-technical summary of the proposals are on display at the council’s Margate offices in Cecil Street for people to view.

The non-technical summary of the plans are also available online at www.londonarray.com.

The other company, Warwick Energy, is interested in siting a smaller wind farm closer to the Thanet coast and has just staged a series of public exhibitions.

It is due to submit consents and planning applications for consultation in September.

To give your views or to find out more visit www.warwickenergy.com.

Anyone who wants to comment on either applications should write, stating the name of the proposal, to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, c/o Offshore Renewables Consents Unit, Bay 2121, 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ET. Fax: 020 7215 2601 or e-mail offshore.windfarms@dti.gsi.gov.uk.

All comments must be received by Wednesday, August 10.