December 27, 2007
Letters, Scotland

Energy confusion

In the ongoing debate about nuclear or wind for Scotland’s energy future, there still seems to be confusion between energy and electricity.

Electricity is not a source of energy. It is simply a convenient form of energy. Less than 20% of the energy we use is in the form of electricity.

Therefore, the biggest challenge we face is to find replacements for the 80% of energy we use for heating and transport. As yet, the Scottish and UK governments have no targets or strategy for renewable heat and fuel.

A recent circular from a top civil servant in the Scottish energy unit compounds this confusion by stating that we are aiming to produce “50% of Scottish energy demand from renewables by 2020”. Actually, the target is 50% of electricity.

Kerr MacGregor, 31 Temple Village, Midlothian.

The Herald

27 December 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/12/27/energy-confusion/