Wanting to ‘stop oil’ now is fantasy land

I HOPE that those who would cover productive farmland with wind farms and solar panels took the time to read the excellent letters from Ivan Buxton and Dr Bratby (November 7), both of which concur with my own views.

In reply to Terry Riordan, who accuses me of opposing renewable energy, I do wish that he would take the time to read what I have repeatedly said in previous letters about climate change and the so-called ‘protesters’ before giving them ‘both barrels’ (the letters, not the protesters!).

For the record, I will repeat. I am not opposed to renewable energy and have no doubt that in time it will come, but not by covering farmland with wind farms and solar panels and turbines. Out to sea, yes, using waterpower, yes, solar panels perhaps, but only in certain places as Mr Buxton suggests; who would like to see our moors and hills covered in them? As for not using nuclear power via the SMRs (small modular reactors) being developed by RollsRoyce, the question is, why not?

What I have also repeatedly stated is that at present we will have to keep using fossil fuels until proper and completely renewable energy becomes available and, even when it does, a back-up will always be needed for some time. We cannot

– as some appear to believe – just close down our power stations, stop using fossil fuels and go all electric all at once, and those who campaign to ‘stop oil’ and all fossil fuels right away are living in a fantasy land if they think that this country could run everything from a kettle, to transport, businesses and domestic on electricity alone at the moment.

Despite what governments say about being ‘carbon neutral’ by a certain date, it will be many years before this and any other country achieves it. One day, yes, but not today or the next.

I hope this has clarified my views.

Paul Mercer Tavistock, Devon