In a muddle over renewable energy – Sunday Herald

In a muddle over renewable energy

Lorna McAllister appears lost in the fog of propaganda that surrounds
energy policy (Fracking remains a divisive issue, Letters, December 7).

She is not alone. Powerful vested interests on all sides – including the
Scottish Government – put a lot of effort into thickening the fog. She
states that “half of Scotland’s power comes from renewable sources”, and
that all will by 2020. This is a confusion between electricity and energy.
Only one-fifth of Scotland’s energy use is electricity – and less than half
of that is used by households. More than half is heat and one-quarter
transport. Less than 5% of heat and transport fuel is renewable. Much of
the heat is provided by gas.

In 2020, we will still need a lot of gas. I do not know whether we need
unconventional gas extraction. A cautious approach is merited, but a
dogmatically strong application of the precautionary principle can be used
to block almost any innovation because of its uncertain potential for
negative impacts, leaving possible positive benefits unrealised.

Dave Gordon
Scone