The reckless pursuit of net zero is putting consumers’ health at risk
sir – A 73-year-old pensioner who was “reluctant” to turn on his heating has died of hypothermia (report, January 24). Welcome to Britain in the 21st century.
On the one hand we are being driven towards an all-electric world of EVS and heat pumps, while on the other we are paying consumers to use less electricity because the grid is short of supply. Decades of energy mismanagement and underinvestment in nuclear power has led to central heating – one of the greatest contributors to better health outcomes in the 20th century – now becoming unaffordable for many in the 21st. All in the cause of a hubristic net-zero future. Does nobody see the irony of a project that results in people dying today, to save lives potentially in 30 years’ time? Mike Bridgman
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
sir – When the concept of net zero was introduced, politicians from all parties were quick to tell us that not only would we save the planet, we would also save money. That was never realistic. It is now admitted that the transition costs will be significant and the payback period lengthy.
Despite this, and during a cost of living crisis, Chris Skidmore, the former energy minister, believes we should accelerate the compulsory phasing out of carbon energy sources (Comment, January 22).
Rather than setting unattainable deadlines for switching off vital energy supplies, the Government should focus on making the transition financially desirable – then it might happen. This requires a restructuring of the energy market so the price of electricity falls relative to gas for domestic heating and petrol or diesel for transport. Given that the price of generating renewable solar and wind power has fallen significantly, this ought to be achievable.
Dr Alan Hearne
Woodstock, Oxfordshire
sir – Gordon Rayner highlights the manner in which China could, and perhaps is, collecting sensitive information via products supplied to Britain (“China can weaponise laptops, cars and fridges for spying”, report, January 24).
One area not mentioned was solar energy. China has around 85 per cent of the global market for solar cells and dominates the market for lithium-ion batteries, which are used on solar farms. Consequently, solar energy production – projected to be a key part of the Government’s renewables strategy – will be dependent upon at least two key components from China. Even more concerning is that one company with alleged ties to China applied to construct a 2000-acre solar farm in the East Midlands.
It does not make sense to allow China to gain access to our renewables infrastructure by letting it supply key components or by approving developments owned by companies with which it may have ties.
Tony Orvis