Missing targets

Nick Dekker (Letters, 8 December) seems to have overlooked that fact that, due to emission 
restrictions, Longannet power station will close in 2023 and that (pace carbon capture and storage at Cockenzie, which may not happen) continuing to operate gas-fired power plants will make it impossible for Scotland to meet its self-imposed greenhouse-gas emission reduction target.

Consequently, it is not practical to operate fossil fuel plants as base load providers. Hydro is out due its unreliability and small capacity and pumped storage is only a displacement source.

That leaves nuclear, which will provide base load until perhaps 2030, latterly only from Torness. After that, the base load will have to come from clean, CO2-free 
nuclear plants in England.

Steuart Campbell

Dovecot Loan

Edinburgh