Energy debate

Much play is made by the opponents of wind energy of so-called “constraint payments” made to wind farm operators by the National Grid. These are made when the amount of energy produced by wind farms – and, indeed, other energy sources including conventional coal, gas and nuclear power stations – is so great that it cannot be absorbed into the National Grid.

While this may sound perplexing, it is a necessary part of balancing a complex system of energy supply and demand. Wind farm operators are often portrayed as the main recipients of such payments. But figures revealed by UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry this week showed that in 2010-11, constraint payments to onshore wind farm operators in Scotland accounted for just 0.1 per cent of the total £170 million paid by National Grid.

The real problem lies in the ability of the Grid to handle electricity produced, which is more to do with the state of our infrastructure. In the future, we will increasingly need a mixture of energy sources – including onshore wind – to meet our electricity needs in a sustainable way that does not damage the environment or make us dependent on costly fuel imports.

But we will need upgrades to the National Grid to ensure we waste as little of the electricity we produce as possible.

Graham Brown

Burcote Wind

Queensferry Road,

Dunfermline

Your report about how energy prices compare across Europe (18 October) is surely a wake-up call to politicians. Denmark and Germany are top of the most expensive electricity table. This is no coincidence since Denmark has 6,200 subsidised wind turbines and Germany has 21,164.

They have not even reduced their CO² emissions or closed one conventional power plant.

Proof that wind turbines are expensive and do nothing to reduce CO² but create fuel poverty. If the UK continues along the renewables path then, as more highly subsidised turbines come on stream, our electricity bills will escalate.

A leaked report from the European Commission admitted electricity bills would rise by 100 per cent by 2050 if a high amount of renewable energy were used.

David Cameron’s pledge to “make this the greenest government ever” sounds expensive for the consumer. Politicians must drop the political dogma and demand a turbine moratorium, a reduction in turbine subsidies and secure an affordable and reliable energy supply.

Clark Cross

Springfield Road

Linlithgow