High price of renewables

Sir, – The £1.2 billion that has been reported as the cost of the planned Inch Cape offshore wind turbine array, visible from Arbroath, could be put instead to very much better uses, such as our national health, education and welfare.

We know from the “Winderful” and other websites that the proportion of used UK electricity from the entire fleet of wind turbines is, typically, 5% or less, exceeded only when the wind speed is optimal, otherwise they are becalmed or, when the winds are too high, switched off.

Then, constraint payments to the electricity suppliers continues, at great cost, for nothing in return.

The projected life of offshore turbines is much lower than the approximately 15 years projected for onshore wind farms, with, for sure, more breakdowns and higher maintenance expenses.

Damage to seascapes, like that onshore, represents a vast hazard to our environment.

The slaughter of avian wildlife is a violation of the humane “green” impulses originally underlying the renewables dream, especially affecting bats and birds of prey.

In Australasia, the likely ending of the vital subsidies for wind powered electricity generation, because of very high costs and blackouts, especially in South Australia, will cripple these renewables’ further installations.

These, and other, adverse impacts on us and on our surroundings vastly outweigh the very meagre benefits from wind turbines, except for beneficiaries such as the developers, landowners and some foreign manufacturers.

No reduction in greenhouse gases output, no significant increase in long-term local employment and the heavy drain on national finances mitigate against the renewables dream, making, in fact, for a protracted nightmare.

Unfortunately, many of those in charge have been deceived about the multiple benefits claimed for wind turbines.

The sooner the better for us when, as in Australia, the high subsidies can be withdrawn. Dr Charles Wardrop. 111 Viewlands Rd West, Perth.

“It is indeed a bizarre scenario when politicians from Unionist parties, who should be ashamed at the situation, actively gloat and support a Union that has mismanaged the economy so appallingly