Grid blow to green 'gold rush'

SCOTTISH Renewables is absolutely right to point out the nonsensical arrangement that sees alternative energy schemes penalised for connecting to the National Grid, while those in the south of England are incentivised (News, 21 March).

As a nation we boast a quarter of Europe's offshore wind and tidal resources. The recent announcement of sites around the north coast and Orkney alone will allow the power of the waves and tides to be harnessed, generating enough electricity to meet the needs of 750,000 homes.

However, under the UK's transmission charging regime, it costs more than 42 per kilowatt for a project to connect to the grid in Orkney, while a similar project in the south-west of England would be subsidised to the tune of 7.

Indeed, if a wind turbine were to be set up in Greater London, where there isn't much wind, an incentive of 2.70 per kilowatt would be provided.

The incentive to connect a wind turbine in Hyde Park, while there is a major disincentive to erecting one in the Highlands and Islands which boasts huge renewable energy potential, is preventing Scotland taking full advantage of the green energy gold rush and must be urgently addressed.

Alex Orr, Edinburgh