Britain is seeking ways to enable clean power sources to be linked much more quickly to the electricity network so that the country can meet carbon emissions targets, the government said on Thursday.

Dozens of wind farms have been held up by planning obstacles. Others face lengthy delays waiting for links to the main network to be built, making it increasingly difficult for Britain to meet its target of getting 20 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2020.

There are currently around 12 gigawatts of projects seeking connection in Scotland along with many more in other parts of the UK, Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said as he launched a review of the problem.

Electricity from renewable sources in the UK was just 4.6 pct of total generation last year, government figures show.

Getting more green electricity connected to the grid is essential if we are to burn less fossil fuels. This review will help us to ensure that renewable generators can supply more low-carbon electricity as quickly as possible.

The review is part of a wide ranging reform of Britain's energy sector announced earlier in May as the country tries to reduce its emissions of the gas blamed for causing climate change while reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.

The review will look at arrangements for planning new networks, grid connection and operation standards, grid access and system balancing.

A final report will be published in May 2008 to identify the need for new legislation and reforms, the government said in a statement.

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