IN typical SNP style, Fergus Ewing diverts attention from reality by
blaming Westminster and grid transmission costs for the potential closure
of the Longannet power station, conveniently failing to admit that the
primary cause of the threat to Longannet is the result of his own
Government’s energy policy which focuses on the reduction of carbon
emissions through extensive and ever increasing use of renewables,
primarily wind.
Wind turbines do not, by their existence and operation, reduce carbon
emissions but rather potentially do this by displacing fossil fuel
generation. Since wind generation is given priority access to the grid,
fossil-fuelled generators, such as Longannet, are constrained off when the
wind is blowing since there is currently very limited means of consuming
any excess electricity generated. Inevitably, as the amount of wind
generation increases, fossil-fuelled plants are constrained off more and
more often becoming less and less economic, as would appear to be happening
at Longannet.
However, it does appear that, at long last, the Minister has recognised the
importance of Longannet to Scotland’s future electricity supply by it
providing back-up when the wind isn’t blowing and in helping maintain grid
stability.
The saying “hoist with one’s own petard” springs to mind.
Dr GM Lindsay,
Scientific Alliance Scotland,
7-9 North St David Street, Edinburgh.
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