Leading article: An opportunity for our windswept isles

Wind has long been one of the sources of power in which supporters of alternative energy have invested their greatest hopes. Early results from those countries, such as Germany and Denmark, where wind power is more developed than in Britain, however, have been disappointing. The chief drawback seemed to be that wind power was at its weakest at the very times of year when demand for energy was highest. The wind also proved unreliable.

Now, an independent study suggests that British wind is different. It has found that there has never been a time in the past 35 years when the whole country has been becalmed. Better still, our wind seems to blow most reliably at the very time of year when demand for electricity is highest.

That most parts of Britain can be windy at one time or another is hardly news. Nor is it news that our climatic conditions differ from those of Germany or Denmark. We may grumble about it, but our islands enjoy a very specific climate which makes wind power a real option.

There are objections that can be made to wind power. The environmental impact is one. The places where wind farms can be most effectively sited tend to be attractive rural or coastal areas, where giant metallic turbines may be an eyesore. Cost-effectiveness is another: is the amount of power generated worth the considerable investment in the turbines?

The new study suggests, however, that the greatest potential drawback - unreliability of supply - has been overestimated. We may have the wrong kind of snow in this country, but we have the right kind of wind.