Case for nuclear

Published on Tuesday 20 July 2010 16:45

I WAS interested in John McTernan's support for nuclear power generation and his fierce critique of wind (Comment, 18 July).

He is right on both counts, but the second report from the UK Committee on Climate Change last month called for faster installation of wind.

The annual rate has recently been 0.7Gw per year. The committee urged an increase to more than 3Gw per year. There is huge UK government momentum behind on- and off-shore wind development. This will continue, unless views change or until it hits the buffers, like the English schools programme, on grounds of cost.

As for nuclear, Labour delayed for more than a decade before reaching a decision on new civil nuclear stations, and announced its plans for ten new stations only in November last year.

An SNP government in Holyrood cannot continue forever. Why, then, was there no plan for a new nuclear station in Scotland? Lack of courage? There is evidence that a small majority of Scots is not anti-nuclear.

NORMAN LAWRIE

Newton Port

Haddington, East Lothian

The SNP government's "nuclear prejudice" (Opinion, 19 July) is a graphic example of politics overriding good economics.

To reject nuclear energy and promote renewable is bad economics with potentially disastrous effects on investment, jobs and economic wellbeing.

ELLIS THORPE

Old Chapel Walk

Inverurie, Aberdeenshire