THERE is no doubt the Scottish government will spin it as evidence of its global renewable energy leadership, but the truth is that the World Renewable Energy Congress, which opens in Glasgow tomorrow, was planned four years ago - when an SNP ascendancy at Holyrood was still beyond the realms of possibility.

WREC, as it is called, is a big deal. It is an academic conference at which all the serious thinking on the sector is done and ways of turning theory into practise are worked out.

The titles of the talks demonstrate why this get together is not really suitable for the man in the street: Historical Re-evaluation of the Yamada-Type Wind Turbine is one; The Effect of Phase Change Material Crystalline Segregation on the Building Integrated Photovoltaic System Thermal Performance is another.

For Professor Ali Sayigh, the moving spirit behind WREC - which is supported by UNESCO among many other international bodies - the purpose of the conference is to promote and publicise the use of renewable energy as the way to safer, cleaner, and commercially proven sources of power. Between 80-100 countries, from Chile to Japan, will be represented, and the organisers are expecting up to 1000 individual attendees. Alex Salmond will be making the keynote introductory speech.

Professor Sayigh, who is an expert in electro-mechanics, it turns out, is also a keen fan of the Scottish government's anti-nuclear, pro-renewable line, and heartily approves its idea of Scotland as the "Saudi Arabia of renewables". He said: "I like that. I used to live in Saudi for 12 years as it happens, and that's where I developed my interest in solar power.

"I have nothing against nuclear power, but it really should only be used as a last resort, and there are many other proven commercial forms of power that should be promoted. I think it's a great idea to make Scotland the shining torch for Britain to follow - and not just Britain, but the whole world."

Agenda is not normally inclined to give even more publicity to Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, left, but even those adverse to his constant self-advertising have to applaud his attitude to present market woes, in that he has been heard recently to declare his love for recessions.

"Recessions are much more fun. Good times are a pain in the bum. In good times, any idiot can make money. In recessions, the good get up off their backsides and start doing sensible things that they should do all of the time," he said.

"It's good for business because Ryanair will emerge from this recession stronger, fitter, leaner and still taking lumps off competitors," said O'Leary.

Not that there is anything so brilliantly creative about Ryanair's own response to hard times: it is cutting down on autumn flights to Basel, Budapest, Krakow, Palma, Rzeszów, Salzburg and Valencia. Tough luck for anyone planning romantic weekend breaks to any of these destinations!