Energy policy

It is good to see the return of Linda Holt and Lyndsey Ward to your letters pages (18 September). One cannot but sense the ongoing collapse of the “Great Onshore Wind Farm Project” resulting not only from the Westminster government’s decision to pull the rug out from under the feet of the subsidy-hungry wind farmers and landowners.

Tourists and residents alike are saying enough is enough. Already too many of our iconic landscapes have been industrialised and questions relating to the actual reduction in CO2 emissions as opposed to the number of turbines built and electricity thereby generated go unanswered.

There is an increasing anger at the grossly regressive nature of the subsidy regime whereby resources are transferred to the aforementioned wind farmers, including among their number such multi-national companies as Scottish Power, and land 
owners.

Even the much vaunted community benefits awarded to communities who welcome turbines in their midst raise questions of economic and social justice.

No regard is paid to the relative needs of these recipient communities as against those of the often less prosperous urban and rural communities who have no choice but to fund the subsidy regime and hence the community benefits.

I sense also that even the SNP is coming to recognise that its enthusiastic support for such an unjust energy strategy is resulting in its alleged social democratic credentials being questioned.

John Milne

Ardgowan Drive

Uddingston

Both Linda Holt and Lyndsey Ward make important points about SNP attitudes towards onshore wind farms.

Why did the SNP elite experience a volte-face and embrace a “propensity for wind turbines?” And why put all one’s energy eggs in one basket with the “reckless proliferation of turbines”? These aren’t the only examples of the “winds of change” that have swept through the SNP elite.

Hasn’t there over the years been a volte-face on Nato, on the currency, on the monarchy?

The latest, of course, is a change of mind as to the need for another referendum.

Given the proclivity for change it is reasonable to expect a change in attitude towards Trident.

Arguably, it is difficult if not impossible to explain the political motivation of the SNP elite.

Ellis Thorpe

Old Chapel Walk

Inverurie