In New York, the US financial capital, an explosion at a sub-station caused power outages and darkened most of downtown Manhattan as well as Westchester County and affected more than 650, 000 customers, power company Consolidated Edison said.

BBC: Sandy: Damage estimated at up to $20bn

As more turbines are approved, the National Grid is legally obliged to extend the power infrastructure - and that's why there are plans for pylons and a sub-station to be built in Powys so that the power generated by wind farms is taken to the rest of the country.

BBC: What are the wind power issues?

In May, an India-made power transmission line to Kabul and a sub-station were opened, bringing 24-hour electricity to the capital for the first time in 17 years.

BBC: India: Afghanistan's influential ally

That means Powys council will decide planning on the 19 acre electricity sub station which the National Grid wants to build, but the power lines are to be decided by the IPC - the Infrastructure Planning Commission - set up by the previous Labour government to fast-track and speed up planning on nationally important projects.

BBC: What are the wind power issues?