“Britain’s low-carbon investment pipeline has never been so large. We’re heading the world in terms of investment opportunities in offshore wind and marine energy,” energy and climate change secretary Ed Davey told the Economist Energy Summit in London.

“The energy-security challenge is one more reason for going green – for maximising energy efficiency and low-carbon generation in the UK.

“But we all know the transition to a low-carbon future will take determined efforts over several decades.