Blownoffcourse

It is disappointing to see The Scotsman resurrecting Alex Salmond's absurd “Saudi Arabia of wind” claim (17 April).

Saudi Arabia makes money selling oil to other countries. UK consumers pay money in subsidies to mostly foreignowned energy companies.

Oil and gas are internationally traded commodities which are readily transported in large quantities over long distances. The capacity of a single large tanker whichcan travel anywhere in the world is equivalent to about 1,200GW. The UK'S electricity infrastructure struggles to export 3GW from Scotland to England.

JACK W PONTON Emeritus professor of engineering, Legerwood,

Earlston, Berwickshire