Ms Julie O'Neill:

I need to be careful about that because it can sound like a one-size-fits-all approach. At the moment, wind and bioenergy contribute in almost equal share to renewable energy, approximately 30% apiece. The reality is that from an electricity point of view for the foreseeable future it is difficult to see a significant alternative to wind to meet the target of 40% of our energy and electricity coming from renewables. I believe that over time biomass will play more of a part. It could get up to 5% by 2020. However, given the fact that we need home-grown biomass to meet our heat targets, unless we are prepared to go down the road others have gone, involving significant imports of biomass with the associated costs and supply issues, I do not see it. The knock-on consequences in terms of prices could be significant. I remain of an open mind on it but certainly if I am asked in an honest way to say what I believe from what I know now - something I continue to challenge - it seems that on the electricity side wind will make up the lion's share of it, certainly up to 2020.