3 January 2012 Last updated at 05:23 ET

SSE wind power passes milestone

SSE said it hoped to continue growing its wind farm generating capacity during 2012

Energy giant SSE has built enough onshore wind farms across the UK to power 700,000 homes, it has said.

The company, formerly known as Scottish and Southern Energy, announced generating capacity had now surpassed more than one gigawatt.

SSE is currently building new onshore wind farms in Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Chief executive Ian Marchant said he wanted to further grow capacity "significantly" in the coming months.

SSE said the generating capacity of its onshore wind farm operations had grown from 40 megawatts six years ago, and now exceeded its conventional hydro electric capacity, of 1,150 megawatts.

Mr Marchant said: "The safe and timely delivery of new assets is a key priority for SSE and passing the one gigawatt milestone for onshore wind farm capacity is a very positive development as we start the new year.

"With construction work continuing at sites in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, we expect our operating onshore wind farm capacity will continue to grow significantly in the coming months."