Why does Government support wind rather than wave and tidal power?
The Herald, www.heraldscotland.com 4 April 2011The Herald, www.heraldscotland.com 4 April 2011
The Herald, www.heraldscotland.com 4 April 2011The Herald, www.heraldscotland.com 4 April 2011
Wind farms and their access roads are now desecrating swathes of Scotland’s rural landscape. Yet neither public opinion nor planning objections seem able to halt their relentless advance, and these monstrosities will leave a permanent scar on our scenery.
I cannot understand why governments north and south of the Border seem besotted with wind farms, doling out vast sums of public subsidies to the companies building and installing this inefficient system of renewable energy. Wind is intermittent and unreliable, and even when the turbine blades are turning they produce about 2% of our electricity requirements and not necessarily at peak demand times. Without the subsidies would any private company regard this as a sound business opportunity?
Wave and tidal technology is less well developed than it should be, mainly because of lack of government support and failure to provide major investment over the past two decades. But in a few years these sources of renewable energy, along with hydro schemes, will produce far more electricity than wind, consistently and reliably.
Scotland is blessed with all three of these sources of energy generation, but instead of prioritising investment in these we are in the process of ruining our scenery and damaging the tourist industry.
Why is our Government supporting these wind factories so enthusiastically? When is someone going to explain to the public the official reasons for supporting wind farms which cause so much concern and anger? Why are local protests at planning enquiries being dismissed and public opinion ignored?
Iain AD Mann,
7 Kelvin Court,
Glasgow.
Anyone considering installing a wind turbine near their home in a position where they will not see it but where it will generate a tidy income should consider the potential noise pollution and its impact on their property’s capital value.
Last year we objected to planning permission for a turbine adjacent to a local footpath, on the grounds of visual and noise pollution. The manufacturers responded that it would make little noise, and planning permission was granted.
It was installed a couple of months ago, and sits like a giant mosquito in an otherwise outspoilt outlook. On a windy day such as today it rattles and whines like a ship’s rigging. Yes, the wind was fairly strong today, but wind turbines need wind to generate enough electricity to offset the energy required to make and install them.
Fiona Robertson
The Garrique,
Kippen,
Stirlingshire.
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