Cost of energy

Lesley Riddoch unwittingly reveals why our political and media classes are so wrong on renewable energy when she writes that she has “no idea why an institute representing engineers should be so ferociously opposed to a massive expansion in engineering jobs” (Perspective, 28 November).

On the one side, our politicians – the SNP foremost – see the electoral advantage of being identified with new technology and “creating jobs”. At the same time, they ignore all the people impoverished and all the jobs lost to pay for this.

On the other side, all numerate people – not just engineers – see that wind, water and solar power are not economic. Without government intervention, wind farms and other alternative schemes would not be built in Britain, as electricity cannot be produced from these sources at a comparable unit cost to that from conventional generation.

A simple demonstration of this is that the feed in tariff for energy generated from solar power will, even after the cut, be 21p per kWh. Our own electricity bills show that the power companies are making a loss on buying that electricity – a loss that they pass on us.

Otto Inglis

Inveralmond Grove

Edinburgh

It is long overdue to have a co-ordinated professional policy on the subjects of climate change, renewables and wind turbines as opposed to the ongoing arrogant attitude of certain members of the government hierarchy (on both sides of the Border) with their “we know best for what is required for the hoi polloi” attitude. Subsequent generations will be amazed and angered by what is being foisted upon them.

With so many ongoing problems to resolve, such as the economy, living standards, interference from the EU, unemployment and foreign affairs, surely climate change should be well down the list of priorities in relation to the billions of pounds being expended.

There should be an urgent, radical review, and challenge, to the complete energy policy.

Harry Lawrie

Abbots Mill

Kirkcaldy