The recently-created Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has announced that it is join forces with the Carbon Trust to undertake a new initiative aimed at bringing down the cost of sourcing energy from the UK's offshore wind farms.

Just last week the government announced that it is to commit to a further round of development for offshore wind farms with the aim of producing 33 gigawatts of energy from wind by 2020.

In preparation for the implementation of the £40 million scheme, industry organisations have been invited to register their interest in developing new technologies for producing offshore energy from wind, with the two groups aiming to reduce the cost of developing the sector.

Commenting on the move, ETI chief executive David Clarke said: "By pooling resources and expertise in this way, the Carbon Trust and the ETI are offering a very significant and attractive funding opportunity, which should lead to greater progress in developing and demonstrating new technologies."

According to the Carbon Trust, the cost of developing offshore wind technology is currently about twice that of onshore developments.