British Energy chief executive Bill Coley lambasted the Scottish Government's "contradictory" energy policy yesterday, claiming that a low-carbon economy can only be achieved if new nuclear power stations are built north of the border.

Coley is furious that the Scottish Government has indicated that it will not allow any new nuclear power stations to be built while at the same time siding with objectors to a proposed wind farm on Lewis, which British Energy had hoped to build with construction company Amec.

The Scottish Government has set out proposals for an 80% cut in emissions by 2050.

Coley told the audience at Talk Power, its annual conference in London, that while he had not yet had the chance to discuss energy policy with First Minister Alex Salmond, "I have to say that I simply do not see how it is possible for Scotland to meet its objectives of an essentially zero carbon economy without nuclear. I do not believe it could be done."

British Energy's joint venture vehicle Lewis Wind Power recently received a letter from the Scottish Government indicating that its scale plans for a 181 turbine estate was unlikely to receive approval due to its impact on the island's moorland.

Coley said yesterday: "We have been trying to plant a wind farm for seven years and we still do not have permission to do that.

"If you do not build nuclear and you cannot build wind farms what can you build? How at the end of the day do you provide the electricity that people need?"

He added that it is inconsistent that British Energy, which is 35% owned by the government, can carry on operating its current plants, Torness in East Lothian and Hunterston B in Ayrshire, but will not be able to replace them.

"Certainly the government is content for us to operate these (existing power stations) as long as we want. It seems to be a bit of a contradiction," he said.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "Scotland does not need or want new nuclear power. The Scottish Parliament has already voted against the nuclear option in favour of a cleaner, greener energy future for Scotland that is more aligned with Scotland's national self interest.

"Nuclear power stations cost billions of pounds to decommission and create a burden of radioactive waste lasting thousands of years. While we are willing to see existing nuclear power stations operate for the duration of their safe and operationally viable lifespans, new nuclear power would be costly, harmful to the environment, and ultimately unnecessary."

The Scottish Government argues that Whitehall figures show that even if the UK built 10 new reactors, nuclear would only deliver a 4% cut in carbon emissions some time after 2025.

But Coley's criticisms were backed by the UK Government.

Scotland Office Minister David Cairns said: "Bill Coley's comments expose the fact that the SNP have a fantasy plan for Scotland's energy needs. No academics or industry experts believe that Scotland's energy needs can be met without having nuclear as part of a balanced energy policy."

Coley's attentions are likely instead to turn to the south of England. British Energy, which owns eight of the UK's 10 existing power stations currently has it sights on building new nuclear stations in the south of England: Sizewell, in Suffolk; Hinkley Point, Somerset; Bradwell, Essex; and Dungeness, Kent.

It already has transmission agreements with the National Grid in place from 2016 for these sites and Coley said he believed there was strong support for new nuclear plants in communities around existing sites.

He confirmed yesterday that he is in talks with at least 10 potential partners for the new builds, adding that the first deal would probably be announced by the end of March.

Iberdrola, the Spanish utility that owns ScottishPower, has previously indicated that it is in talks about entering a joint venture with British Energy.

However, a number of firms ranging from French company EDF, German giants E.ON and RWE and British Gas owner Centrica have all previously indicated interest in new plants.

Other companies also linked to the sector are GE-Hitachi, Toshiba-Westinghouse, and utilities such as Scottish and Southern Energy and Vattenfall, of Sweden.

The government reckons each plant would cost about £2.8bn to build although other estimates are much higher.