Winds of change

AS A developer of onshore wind energy projects across Scotland with a value of approximately £750 million, we do not agree with Citigroup’s paper on the investment climate for renewable energy in Scotland (your report, 3 November).

It seems to believe that, should Scotland vote for independence in a referendum, its energy market will be hermetically sealed at the River Tweed.

This displays a basic misunderstanding of the realities facing the UK when it comes to energy generation. With around 25 per cent of the UK’s coal, gas and nuclear generating capacity due to come off-stream by 2021, the need to replace this shortfall is extremely pressing.

While new nuclear energy in England may fill some of this gap, the lengthy period it will take to get new plant constructed and operational means that England may well need to “import” electricity from Scotland in the short to medium term. An increasing proportion of this electricity will be generated by on and offshore wind farms.

In any case, Scotland has around 25 per cent of Europe’s wind resource, with very high average wind speeds by European standards. It is this that will drive investment decisions, as the amount of electricity produced by wind farms is inextricably linked to the load factor, which is significantly higher in Scotland than neighbouring countries.

Whatever the referendum outcome, the nature of the shared National Grid and current distribution of generating capacity make it likely that the nations of the UK would choose to continue to operate a common, or closely aligned, energy policy. Given that the UK and Scotland both have challenging and internationally binding carbon reduction and renewables-generation targets to meet, it is therefore perfectly conceivable that a system similar to the Renewables Obligation would continue to operate.

Graham Brown

Burcote Wind

Queensferry Road

Dunfermline

When reputable bankers like Citigroup issue warnings about future Scottish investments in onshore/offshore wind farms – I listen and take note.

When respected engineering organisations publicly expose the fatal deficiencies of exorbitantly priced wind power – I listen and take note.

When a wee Scottish politician then gets up and claims the bankers are bonkers and the engineers don’t know what they are talking about – am I also to listen and take note of what he says? Yeah!

William Oxenham

Easter Currie Place

Edinburgh