Power charges

The general consensus reached by the Scottish Parliament in the recent debate on lowering transmission charges for electricity generators to access the National Grid is to be applauded.

Scotland has one of the highest renewable energy potentials in Europe, and yet the current charging regime, based on distance from main centre of demand, sees Scottish electricity generators facing the highest grid charges in the UK, making many projects uneconomical to progress.

Such a charging regime undermines the employment and economic opportunities arising out of renewable energy, risking tens of thousands of jobs and the contribution they could make to Scotland's economic recovery.

Climate change and security of supply are among the greatest challenges we face, and what is required is an urgent review by National Grid and the UK government of the current unfair and unproductive charging regime.

ALAN SIMPSON

HBJ Gateley Wareing

Canning Street

Edinburgh