"We strongly condemn this heinous act, " said Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahman, an activist with the Syrian human rights organization MAF.

CNN: Children killed in bus attack in Syria

Maf Smith, deputy chief executive of RenewableUK, said his organisation was "disappointed" by Mr Hayes' comments, which came after he addressed a renewables conference on Tuesday evening.

BBC: Wind farms: 'No change' on policy, says David Cameron

Maf Smith, chief executive of green energy trade body Scottish Renewables welcomed the move and said that with the right support wave and tidal power could meet 10% of Scotland's electricity needs by 2020.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Scotland | Edinburgh and East | Boost for marine power projects