Known as the Ormonde project, it will install 108MW of offshore wind power capacity combined with 98MW of natural gas to provide almost constant power delivery from an offshore wind farm.

The project will generate electricity from the wind turbines during medium to strong winds, but during calm weather or periods of wind turbine shutdown, it will generate electricity from the gas reserves through an offshore generator platform.

This will provide a flexible output of electricity to meet the needs of the local National Grid while dealing with the intermittency of wind power resources.

"Successful deployment of the hybrid concept in this high growth sector will represent a global 'first', demonstrating the commercial viability of utilising hydrocarbon reserves as a catalyst to develop cost-efficient, low-carbon, distributed power generation in the offshore environment," said an Eclipse spokesperson.

The application process is expected to take between six to nine months, after which Eclipse will have full approval to forge ahead with the Ormonde Project.

The installation will be 10km off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Eclipse currently operates the undeveloped Ormonde North and South gas fields in the area.

When constructed, Ormonde is expected to provide up to 200MW of electricity from its gas and wind turbines. The project should begin producing electricity in 2007.

"Eclipse has combined UK North Sea oil and gas experience and business models to provide a commercial catalyst for offshore wind energy development," said Eclipse managing director Ian Hatton.

"We expect Ormonde to be the first of a series of similar developments where offshore wind energy is commercialised in this way.

“Our concept has the potential to make a significant contribution to the future energy production mix of the UK, which is in transition from a period of self- sufficiency courtesy of North Sea oil and gas to one where future needs will be met largely by imported energy."