Not a fan of wind

I am very suspicious that energy giant SSE is selling off a portfolio of wind farms to a UK Government-backed infrastructure fund that will offer shares with an inflation-linked dividend (your report, 7 February).

Is it because it sees a whole lot of liabilities looming over health problems that are now being reported worldwide? Is it because the Valuation Agency has 
finally offered a reduction in council tax because of loss of value of property near wind farms and it is only a question of time before compensation is 
demanded?

Is it because returns are not as large as expected? A study into the energy generated by dozens of wind farms, the majority of which were in Scotland, between November 2009 and December 2010, found they actually ran at 22 per cent of capacity, not the 30 per cent claimed in many environmental 
statements.

Has it realised that shale gas is going to change the whole energy sector together with planned Irish wind farms?

Are the conditions and obligations imposed on the original developer going to be quietly forgotten, including decommissioning, and the good old 
government, ie, you and me, pick up the tab?

The question to be asked is: if wind power is the future, why would you sell the portfolio?

I won’t touch the fund with a barge pole, no matter what the carrot. The government must 
be mad.

Celia Hobbs

Peebles Road

Penicuik, Midlothian