Wind energy is so unreliable that even if 13,000 turbines are built to meet EU renewable energy targets, they could be relied on to provide only seven percent of the country's peak winter electricity demand, according to a leading power company E.On.
E.On has argued that so little wind blows during the coldest days of winter that 92 percent of installed wind capacity would have to be backed up by traditional power stations.
It argues this would require new coal-fired power stations to be built so they could be used in an emergency.
This may mean that, to meet renewable targets of 20 percent of energy being provided from renewables by 2020, the UK's installed power base will need to rise from 76 gigawatts today to more than 100GW.
The company estimates this could cost £100 billion.
The John Muir Trust, which campaigns against wind farms in Scotland's beauty spots, said E.On's claims back its view that the country is depending too heavily on wind power.
Helen McDade, the trust's policy officer, thinks instead far more should be done to improve energy efficiency.
"Energy conservation is by far the best use of money," she said. "The question is why we are not doing more of this."