Russian energy bind

sir – At last, Germany has realised the folly of being heavily dependent on Russian gas, and plans to restart its coal-fired power plants.

Unfortunately, Britain does not have this option. Thanks to an amazing lack of strategic foresight, our coal-fired power stations have been razed to the ground – bar one, which operates when the wind does not blow.

Another example of poor decisionmaking is the impending filling-in of Britain’s fracking wells. Unless the lights go out, or we freeze, we will be forced to continue buying Russian gas.

Alan Belk

Leatherhead, Surrey

sir – I welcome the news that the Government is “to sign off on a new round of [oil and gas] exploration licences” (report, March 8). However, any positive outcome is likely to be 10 years away.

A better start would be to facilitate production projects for discovered resources, already engineered and ready for construction but currently held up by the Oil and Gas Agency. After regulatory approval, hydrocarbon flows are only 12-24 months away.

Let’s think first about our most urgent and feasible priorities – including fracking.

Robert Fisher

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

sir – I have just received a letter from my energy supplier telling me that I can expect more than £500 extra on my next electricity bill, and more than £1,000 extra on my gas bill.

By cancelling my membership of the British Museum, English Heritage, the National Gallery, the Royal Academy and the Tate, I can raise just enough to pay for the electricity.

Michael Rogers

Sevenoaks, Kent

sir – With gas and oil prices at an all-time high, the production of crops to feed the nation is at risk.

The cost of producing next year’s crops is such that wheat will need to fetch £350-£400 per ton to make a small margin. Only land that can produce 10-12 tons per hectare will be planted.

Perhaps it is time Defra’s publicgood policies had food production at the top of the list, rather than rewilding.

H J Clark

Maidstone, Kent