Dutch energy

Donald Trump’s letter to the First Minister (your reports) states that the Netherlands has abolished its offshore wind power programme.

However, the ministry of economic affairs, the Hague, advises on its website that the Dutch government’s goal is to have renewable energy meet at least 14 per cent of the overall demand for energy in 2020, and that offshore wind energy is to provide a considerable share of the growth in renewable energy generation.

Other relevant websites advise that a taskforce investigating off-shore wind power in the Netherlands recently concluded that off-shore wind parks deliver relatively cheap CO2-free electrical energy, create thousands of jobs, and a range of new, sustainable economic activities.

Notable current project preparations for extending the range of offshore wind parks include the construction of a 600MW offshore wind farm to the north of the country, and an innovative wind farm of 130MW to the west. Both wind farms are expected to be operational by 2014.

Dr D Bolt

Taybridge Road

Aberfeldy, Perthshire