Energy from renewables

SIR, – It is nonsense to claim that Scotland gets 35% of its energy from renewables, as electricity from any source feeds directly into either the distribution networks or into the high-voltage grid system throughout the UK.

A more-accurate figure would be closer to 4%, as Scotland gets the same mix of energy as everyone else in the UK.

The uncomfortable truth is that the average load factor for wind turbines is only 26% for both onshore and offshore and has a capacity credit (secured capacity) of around 6% at high-energy penetration.

Capacity credit is defined as the percentage of conventional plant that can be shut down and replaced by wind power without the lights going out.

The cost of having almost 100% of conventional power plants on standby would be unsustainable, yet this is ignored by the Scottish Government spindoctors.

No wonder Donald Trump claimed that Scotland would go bankrupt if we continued to build wind turbines without regard to cost or the impact on tourism.

Ask the thousands of Scots classified by the government as suffering from fuel poverty if they want to stuff money in the pockets of landowners who instal wind turbines or, indeed, continue to subsidise the green energy industry in general.

The problem is the Scottish Government is not listening. Ian Lakin, Pinelands, Milltimber, Aberdeen. appear to be is not disclosed, but is thought unlikely. Dr John Cameron, Howard Place, St Andrews.