The midpoint of the decade could prove to be a pivotal moment for the UK's energy saving efforts as wind development reaches its funding threshold, according to business analyst PricewaterhouseCoopers.

In a report on the progress made towards the UK's energy saving targets - including the aim of providing 30 per cent of the nation's power through renewable means by 2020 - the firm notes a likely peak in funding demands of £10 billion per year before the end of the decade.

This is the estimated cost of maintaining pace with the end-of-decade target of 30 per cent, which would require a 27 GW increase in renewable energy output of which almost half should be in the form of wind power.

Despite needing to average 1.1 GW per year in new turbine installations, last year the UK fell short by more than half that figure, the report adds.

The news follows a joint announcement by energy ministers of the UK, France and Germany that they have elected to increase targets for reducing carbon emissions by 2020 from the EU's 20 per cent demand to a voluntary aim of 30 per cent.