Wind row

Is Aedán Smith from the RSPB serious when he writes that the primary purpose of wind farms is to provide “carbon benefits” (Letters, 1 May)? What would they be then?

I can only assume he means saving emissions and, therefore, helping to combat climate change.

If that is their primary purpose then the time has come to stop building them as to continue for that reason is surely futile and most certainly challengeable.

There are no proven emissions savings at all, just wild claims based on calculations that do not include many of the relevant factors including miles of grid connection, workers from overseas, foreign components, their manufacture, mining and processing, decommissioning etc etc.

This industry has for too long got away with its “clean, free and green” propaganda.

Clean? Impossible if you consider the toxic wastelands where the tonnes of required rare earth minerals come from.

Free? Most certainly not as billions are paid out by the consumer for constraint payments, grid upgrades and subsidies.

Green? Well, that word has several meanings including naive and ignorant. To have unshakeable confidence in the “benefits” of wind power could certainly apply to the former.

To not bother to research the true facts yet appear to talk with authority about perceived benefits definitely applies to the 
latter.

Lyndsey Ward

Beauly

When reading Aedán Smith’s letter from the RSPB objecting to wind farms in the Flow Country the phrase “chickens coming home to roost” sprang to mind.

In 2006 the RSPB, together with Historic Scotland, SEPA and Scottish Natural Heritage 
(SNH), objected to the Auchencorth wind farm proposal near Penicuik.

Objections were removed one by one with only SNH standing firm.

Thankfully, after five years two Government Reporters rejected the application at public inquiry.

After another wind farm 
rejection there is a third proposal only three miles away going to inquiry this month.

Five years on RSPB has declined to object. Penicuik Environment Protection Association is still fighting to preserve this beautiful area and the migration route of pink-footed geese close to Gladhouse reservoir.

I take some comfort that RSPB now knows what it is like to fight these multinationals backed by government.

RSPB already had to part with its green energy partner, SSE, in 2011 on difference of views but are now with Ecotricity and get £60 for every customer who switches gas and electricity.

I see this as a conflict of interest and feel badly let own by this organisation.

Celia Hobbs

Peebles Road

Penicuik