Energy doubts

It was dispiriting to read Jim McDonald, principal of the University of Strathclyde, in the Energy Ecosse supplement (your report, 10 March) quoting figures about the amount of wind energy, tidal and wave resources in Scotland, suggesting we have 40 per cent of Europe's renewable energy resource without any mention of the environmental cost.

To build this capacity and the associated sub-sea and overland grid system over the hills and coastline of our fragile highlands and islands landscape will lead to a serious reduction in wildlife and destruction of areas of natural beauty.

In his enthusiasm for his subject he forgets that we are lucky to be in possession of a rare and wild landscape which will be sacrificed for little long term advantage in terms of overall world carbon emissions. You do not have to be an academic to be aware of how unreliable wind and wave power is, as evidenced by the minimal energy generated by wind power this winter during our cold, windless days. It is time we acknowledged that in Scotland we are being rushed headlong down the road of so-called renewable energy with no care for the consequences and the Scottish Parliament should be ashamed of itself.

ALAN BLACK

Camus Avenue

Edinburgh