Who benefits from the wind turbines?

SIR, – We now have confirmation that wind turbines can be seen from more than a third of Scotland. By 2020, I believe 8,000 turbines will be required to meet the government's energy targets.

We are sadly witnessing the industrialisation of our wild lands.

Who does this sacrifice to the alter of progress benefit? Certainly not the local population who have to live under their shadow.

The companies building these farms, certainly the big players, are mainly foreign-owned, two of biggest are in Guernsey. These companies of course have only one priority and that is to their shareholders.

Local councils waste time and money fighting windfarm applications from these companies, who know the final decision rests with the Scottish Government.

The bulk of revenue in subsidies developing Scottish windfarms comes from the pockets of English and Welsh taxpayers.

Scotland only accounted for 9% of UK wide electricity sales last year. There could be a situation where England and Wales decide that the cost of green energy is too high.

This is why Scotland needs guarantees of a UK-wide single market.

Without these guarantees we could be left with windfarms producing a product nobody can afford.

The way forward for onshore renewable energy must be for smaller and smarter local energy systems supplying a grid that is accessible at all times and is Scottish owned. J. MacDonald, Blackpark

Farm, Inverness