Blow to wind power

HOGMANAY saw us awaken to subzero temperatures, much as expected in winter.

At 1pm on an almost wind-free day in Central Scotland, the UK’s electricity demand stood at some 38 GW. Of this, renewables supplied 8.6 GW including just 3.7GW from wind. In other words, some 75 per cent of the

demand was supplied by ‘conventional’ means, including some 44 per cent from gas fired units. If or when the country completely abandons fossil fuels for heating, cooking, transport and electricity generation, politicians must convince a sceptical, large minority that nuclear power may need to be embraced if the UK is to go ‘all-electric’.

Even the climate and antinuclear zealots must appreciate the need for continuity of supply – something wind, solar and tidal power cannot achieve in the short term.

Ultimately there must be a massive increase in largescale energy storage such as pumped hydro or a move to a ‘hydrogen economy’ if renewables are to be the only way ahead.

Giving the impression ‘renewables’ are the only replacement for fossil fuels is misleading. Perhaps adopting the term ‘alternatives’ would allow informed debate of all possible ways to massively reduce carbon dioxide production (including nuclear and effective carbon capture) before committing to the vagaries of renewables, a view amply supported by Hogmanay’s generation figures.

GRAHAM WYLLIE, Greengairs, Lanarkshire.