The dash for wind and solar power is leaving us short of energy in winter
My concern over the ‘dash for wind and solar power’ in this country has always been about what would happen to our energy supply when a high pressure area positioned itself over the country during the height of winter.
This has just happened, and as at 8am on 12 December, per GB National Grid Status, the contribution of solar was zero, whereas wind only contributed 1.3GW (2.77 per cent) towards a total demand of 47GW.
The balance of requirements were made mainly by traditional dispatch able sources such as coal 9.75GW (20.74 per cent), nuclear 5.78 GW (12.3 per cent) and gas 24.87GW (52.91 per cent). Both the UK and Scottish governments are committed to building even more wind and solar farms, and the auctions held for back-up power so far have been unable to attract new efficient sources of dispatchable power such as large gas powered entities.
Consequently, we are moving towards a large reduction in dispatch able power supply as coal power stations will have disappeared completely by 2025 and old nuclear power stations are set to be closed down gradually, with only Hinkley Point in progress with an uncertain commissioning date.
Add to this scenario the newly announced policies of encouraging a substantial and sustained growth of electric road vehicles, eventually leading to an estimated 25 per cent increase in power demand, it would appear that a‘ ted heath’ type three-day week (or worse) seem inevitable when high pressure areas shut down the supply of wind and solar generatedpower. this will have undesirable effects on the economy and human lives.
It is difficult to understand how politicians of all parties can allow this situation to progress unchecked. It might not be “all right on the day” and then it will be too late to switch back to reliable sources as the lead times are long.
JOHN PETER Monks Road, Airdrie More than 100 MPS and former Mps have signed the dive st parliament campaign aiming to force their £612 million pension fund to stop investing in fossil fuels (Scotsman, 11 December).
Naturally Jeremy Corbyn and Ian Blackford of the SNP were quick to jump aboard. I assume that all who object to taxpayers’ money being so invested will lead by example. They will not travel in or use transport which uses fossil fuels and dispose of their personal cars, unless of course they are electric.
Those with gas cookers and gas central heating will have to switch to electricity. But 48 per cent of our electricity is provided by gas, 10 per cent from coal and only 15 per cent for wind and solar.
SNP MPS do not like nuclear which provides 19 per cent of electricity. So those signing this petition should cut their consumption of electricity by between 58 and 77 per cent. That would show real anti-fossil fuel commitment.
CLARK CROSS Springfield Road, Linlithgow Our existing power sources, a mounting to 323 twh, are only just coping with the present cold spell, but are scheduled to be reduced to 107 TWH by 2035 by the planned closure of gas, coal, and nuclear power stations, in favour of renewables.
Filling that gap with power from sunshine and wind does seem rather optimistic. Some would say downright reckless. MALCOLM PARKIN Kinnesswood, Kinross