The answer's not just blowing in the wind!

ScottishPower chief executive Ian Russell has warned that the government’s ambitious targets for green energy are at risk unless other forms of renewable energy other than wind power are developed. Russell, who heads the UK’s largest developer of windfarms, said the huge growth planned in windpower alone would not be able to meet the UK target of 20% of electricity being generated from renewable sources by 2020. "We would need to see development of other technologies such as wave, tidal and biomass to get us to that target," he said. Russell also said it was "sensible that the government was leaving the door open on nuclear power" while it focused on reducing carbon emissions from electricity generation. Some commentators have argued that investment in new nuclear stations is the only way the government will be able to meet its green energy targets.

It wants to see 10% of the UK’s electricity generated from renewable energy by 2010. The Scottish Executive has set a target for Scotland to supply 18% of its power from renewable sources - including existing hydro and wind - by 2010 and 40% by 2020 to help meet overall UK targets. Last month ScottishPower announced it was joining forces with Edinburgh-based wavepower developer Ocean Power Delivery and engineering group Amec to investigate the feasibility of a large-scale trial of wave power off Scotland.

Russell believes the 10% target by 2010 will be achieved if planning approval is given for major schemes and for the infrastructure upgrades needed. But he claims the far more stretching target of 20% by 2020 would be difficult without the successful development of new technologies.