Mar 28 - Scotsman, The

Alistair Darling yesterday gave a clear hint that nuclear power would figure prominently in the government's energy review when he ruled out renewable forms of energy for all of Scotland's needs.

Speaking at a conference organised by the Scottish Renewables Forum in Glasgow, the Scottish Secretary said the government continued to consider all forms of energy generation, including nuclear power.

"Over the years, we have maintained secure and reliable energy supplies derived from a balanced and diverse energy mix - from nuclear, from coal and from gas," he said.

"There has been a substantial leap forward in renewables, and there will be more, but it isn't enough on its own.

"Underlying the energy review is a belief that we cannot afford to be anything but open-minded now. We should not be ruling out the contribution that any section of the industry can make - including nuclear."

The Scottish Executive has set a target of 40 per cent renewable energy, including wind and wave power, by 2010.

Mr Darling said renewables had a big part to play. "We need to invest in both new technologies and in the better use of those we have to provide us with security of supply and sustainability of our energy future," he said.

There is scope for conflict over nuclear power as the UK government can authorise new nuclear stations to be built, including in Scotland, while the Executive can, in theory, refuse planning permission. However, there is also scope for friction within the Labour-Liberal Democrat Executive.

At the Scottish Lib Dems' conference last week, Sir Menzies Campbell, the party leader, emphasised their commitment to renewable sources of energy. Mr Darling's speech yesterday was seen as a put- down of Lib Dem policy as simplistic and naive.

Maf Smith, the chief executive of the Scottish Renewables Forum - which represents businesses involved in the sector - said Mr Darling's speech outlined a "get real" approach, and he had no problem with that.

But Mr Smith repeated the warning he has given several times recently that any weakening of support for renewables by the Executive and the UK government would have "dire consequences" for Scotland's green energy sector and for climate change targets.

The Executive had said it would look at its renewables obligation, but the industry still did not know what that would mean either in commitment or funding, he said.

He went on: "And we have a 'push me-pull you' situation with the UK government and Ofgem. Ofgem has to work out how targets can be delivered."

In Scotland, the priority was Executive agreement to upgrade the Beauly to Denny power line, he said. That proposal, for taller, wider pylons that would carry heavier cables, has been the subject of continual protests by local communities, but Mr Smith insisted it was essential if Scotland's renewable potential was to be realised.

Given the Executive go-ahead now, he said, a new line capable of carrying the proposed surge in electricity production from wind and wave power could be in place by 2010.

Shiona Baird MSP, the Scottish Green Party's speaker on energy, said: "Mr Darling needs to move into the 21st century. He clearly has little idea about the potential of Scotland's renewable power sources nor the crucial role of improved energy efficiency.

"It appears Mr Darling has closed his mind to the findings of his own government's expert advisers that nuclear power is an unsustainable, uneconomic technology from the past that is not wanted and not needed."

The government's energy review is scheduled to be published on 14 April.