Energy off-target

That the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) failed to meet its emissions reductions target (your report, 31 January) does not surprise me.

When the national figure of 42 per cent by 2020 was announced, it seemed to me to be more of a vainglorious
pronouncement than a technically estimated possibility, and was supposed to be largely achievable by increased 
electricity production from renewables.

Electricity today is only part of our energy needs; indeed, it is a surprisingly small part if we tot up everything, including 
foreign travel. That last can be quite big.

For example, Alex Salmond and entourage clocked up more than 200,000 kWhr of jet fuel for the Ryder Cup visit.

That’s five years of energy consumption for the average 
individual.

(Dr) A McCormick

Kirkland Road

Terregles, Dumfries