Puffery and wind

Published on 24/10/2012 00:00

Charles Ramsay (Letters, 22 October) quite rightly points out the disparity of electricity prices between parts of the UK. It certainly needs an answer. I would also like to know what our bills will be if we gain independence, given the subsidy costs of wind power.

The subsidy comes mainly from UK electricity bills via 
renewables obligation certificates. That would be fine if Scotland had the same number of turbines relative to its customer base, ie 8 per cent. If we had 8 per cent of the turbines and were ­liable for 25 years for ­8 per cent of the subsidies there would be no discussion.

Scotland has 61 per cent of the turbines, a figure rising faster than the rest of the UK, which is paying 92 per cent of this subsidy of UK wind farms.

The main plank of SNP economic future policy is renewable energy, especially wind power. How can an independence campaign be founded on an economic policy which requires subsidy from a foreign country for the next 25 years?

Alex Salmond has only said he believes the system would carry on as before. It would be good to know if Westminster thinks its electorate would be happy about this. I have my doubts.

Celia Hobbs

Peebles Road

Penicuik, Midlothian