WE HAVE ANSWER TO OUR ENERGY PROBLEMS

JOHN Calvert (GA 7/5) needs to update his knowledge. The independent energy operator (AEMO) shows renewables are the cheapest form of electricity generation, with fossil fuels all considerably more expensive.

The British government had to guarantee a recent proposed nuclear power station would be paid at double their current (nonnuclear) power cost for its lifetime and that all costs of ongoing disposal and eventual closure would be the responsibility of the government – an enormous cost and problem passed over to future generations.

Nuclear-powered electricity is one of the most expensive forms of generating electricity.

Incidentally Britain has gone from having most of its electricity generated by coal some years ago to now less than 1 per cent.

AEMO also rates renewable energy as the most reliable in the system.

Solar has no moving parts to fail, and over 2,500,000 household power plants on roofs plus an increasing number of major solar farms spread all across the country.

Conversely, coal generators use complex plants with many pieces of mechanical equipment subject to breakdowns. Close to or past their design lives, reliability is poor, with currently three (of 19) suffering major unplanned problems resulting in major power reductions with no notice.

The two largest generators are 40 years old and the fourth largest is 50 years old.

Constructing coal plants would more likely “lead to ruin” as it would force up the cost of power to everyone, while cheap renewable energy will further reduce costs and open up massive manufacturing opportunities for current and future generations. Rob G, Clifton Springs

Name and address withheld