Green energy wins over Portugal

Sun, water, waves and wind. Not a holiday on the Algarve, but Portugal's power sources for the future.Pelamis metal snakes Portugal has the first commercial wave farm in the worldOn the edge of the sleepy town of Moura in southern Portugal is a scene straight out of a science fiction novel.Glittering panels are being mounted on frames the size of tennis courts, then planted in lines facing the sun. There will be 2,525 of the frames and hundreds are already in place.When this futuristic array is completed, the frames will keep their faces turned towards the shiniest place in the heavens. They are designed to swivel and follow the sun as it rises and falls, pulling in every last bit of energy.It is the latest step in Portugal's plan to switch electricity generation from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. The target is 45% from sun, wind and other renewables by 2010, with 60% already viewed by the government as achievable in future years."Viable technology"To its backers, Moura represents the coming of age of solar power. It will be the biggest photovoltaic power station in the world, five or six times as productive as its nearest rivals.

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