New supergrid is not necessary
A R Nelson is right to point out that the need for the upgrading of the Beauly to Denny grid line is not universally accepted (Letters, December 27).
The one question the inquiry’s terms of reference will, almost certainly, not allow it to decide on is: “Do we really need the thing at all?” There is no overwhelming national need for it. The existing line is perfectly adequate to serve the needs of Scotland. The sole purpose of the supergrid is to facilitate the connection of further wind-generated capacity that we don’t need, all over the Highlands, and this solely for the private profit of developers.
Let me cite the Danish experience in February 2003, when some 6000 wind turbines produced absolutely nothing. The Scottish Executive is prepared to contemplate in future importing power from England to back up our wind farms as our conventional capacity is decommissioned. But Ofgem is only prepared to sanction the necessary upgrading of the cross-border interconnector if the Beauly to Denny supergrid is granted planning permission. So no pressure there, then?
Andrew Mitchell, 4 Glenpark Avenue, Prestwick
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
Some possibly related stories:
- Move to block new development for Beauly-Denny power line
- Line upgrade ‘essential’ to targets
- NTS warns against giant pylons; Scottish heritage watchdog says beauly-denny upgrade would be ‘hugely damaging’
- Power line inquiry closes
- Ex-energy boss says Beauly-Denny line was ‘done deal’
- Anger over ‘leaked’ Beauly transmission line decision
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