Renewable energy is running out of puff

It IS now some months since, in your columns, I offered to pay Alex Salmond and John Swinney £2 and, in Jim Mather's case £4, for every time the New Electricity Trading Arrangements (Neta website) showed wind producing more than 2 per cent of UK electricity supply in a 24 hour (noon to noon) period, if they on the other hand would pay me £1 for every time it does not. They have not taken up my wager.

I now extend this offer to energy and climate change minister Chris Huhne, the leaders of the UK and Scottish Green parties, the heads of Friends of the Earth and WWF in Scotland and, of course, Kerr Mac Gregor, a frequent pro-wind contributor to the Letter pages. Although I realise that, after the recent revelation that wind farms only produced 50 per cent of expected yield last year, all of the above, may be, just like the wind turbines they support: badly winded and out of puff. I plead with them to take up my offer before winter sets in.

The income I will gain from this, though not so large and secure as that paid to rich landowners for having wind turbines( working or not) on their land, will be used to buy coal for my multi-fuel stove.

I am, on the other hand, willing to take lottery tickets in lieu as this will be more in keeping with the energy policy pursued by all the above mentioned.

RON GREER

Armoury House

Blair Atholl, Perthshire

Surely folk can be forgiven if they suspect that Mr Huhne had ancestors who were producers of candles and/or were candlestick makers? Indeed, would it be morally wrong to suspect he currently has shares in anything to do with the provision of candles?

For if this minister has his way with his current silly energy proposals, the lights will soon be going out across the country. Remember where you read this if you do indeed have to struggle to read in the gloom of a brownout or complete power cut (blackout).

Make no mistake in this, the mindless rush into large-scale wind generation at the expense of conventional power stations will guarantee disaster for the British economy - think of everything that is dependent on electricity today from banking to filling your car with fuel - so weep for what the future will hold unless someone, somewhere, can take this minister into a quiet corner and bring him to his senses. Vigilate et orate (watch and pray).

DAVE HASKELL

Newchapel Road

Boncathm, Pembrokeshire