The wind industry has called for a price increase of almost 40pc for the output of land based wind turbines.

The increase, which would see the price achieved for a kilowatt hour of power output rise from 6.2c to 10c, is needed to offset higher capital and financing costs, the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) chief executive Dr Michael Walsh said.

Dr Walsh was speaking at the annual conference of the association in Dublin yesterday.

"A price level of 10c for on-shore wind is necessary to reflect market conditions, including increasing capital and financing costs for projects, and critical in underpinning private sector investment of €6bn needed to deliver our national targets," he said.

He also welcomed Energy Minister Eamon Ryan's statement to the effect that wind power is envisaged to be the primary vehicle for delivering Ireland's renewable energy targets.

The minister said yesterday that he was giving the necessary approvals which would allow a number of wind energy projects currently being held up to proceed.

But while welcoming this, Dr Walsh said the industry ''will ultimately look to the price we receive for the power we generate as the clearest signal of the Government's commitment to a green energy future for Ireland," he said.