No-blow areas

December was the coldest for 13 years in Britain as a whole. In Scotland the freezing weather has tightened its grip and looks set to stay for some time to come.

Travelling to Glasgow on several occasions during this most freezing of spells, I have to pass three wind farms, including the massive scheme at Whitelee. Not once have I seen a blade turning or so much as a watt of electricity generated. I believe this has been the case over all of south-west Scotland.

When we most need energy, the wind farms do nothing.

At the moment we have 100 per cent back-up from nuclear, hydro, coal and gas power stations, but the Scottish Government plans to make us hugely reliant on wind power within ten years.

As it seems not to listen to the criticism of almost every independent engineer in the land, who ridicule wind power in terms of climate change mitigation and energy contribution, let ministers drive past their nearest wind farm during this cold, high pressure, windless weather or seek generation figures for the period from the power companies. Maybe this will awaken them.

J MARK GIBSON

Craigengillan

Dalmellington, Ayr