The First Minister pre-empted a meeting by UK ministers in Glasgow today about the future of nuclear power by declaring that alternative sources had now overtaken the atomic option.

Alex Salmond said an extension to the Crystal Rig wind farm near Dunbar meant green energy had now overtaken nuclear power in terms of installed capacity.

Declaring yesterday Green Energy Day, Mr Salmond said: "I want Scotland to become a global leader in green energy, at the forefront of the response to the challenge of climate change.

"Scotland has an abundance of clean renewable energy resources - wind, wave, offshore wind, tidal, biomass and biofuel. They will take their place along with initiatives in clean coal technology, in promoting microgeneration and energy conservation.

"Not only do we have the natural resources, we already have the knowhow and the skills in Scotland. Today we have reached a tangible milestone in the journey Scotland has taken towards that clean, green future."

But Labour were scathing about the SNP claiming the credit for the expansion in wind farms, pointing out that their only decision since May had been to reject a major scheme.

Shadow energy minister Iain Gray said: "Of 2500 MW of renewable generating capacity the SNP are responsible for precisely none. Now they have projects which could triple that capacity mouldering in their in-tray."