Ian Duncan MEP is quoted as saying “this is the most exciting project to
hit the North Sea since the discovery of oil” (EU set to pledge billions in
support of top priority North Sea supergrid, Business, July 19). Mr
Duncan’s Conservative colleagues in Westminster are doing all they can to
reduce electricity costs by cutting subsidies. Here we have a major
investment which will not only increase costs very significantly but will
also cover the country with even more pylons. Just think about the onshore
cables and pylons which this would, in reality, require.
That it has the potential to be yet another energy policy nightmare is
cause for unhappy contemplation. Perhaps after a financial assessment has
been properly carried out (hopefully under the scrutiny of experienced
engineers) the truth will dawn – but you never know with the EU.
Furthermore, the suggestion that Scotland could use pumped storage
facilities in Scandinavia must be a pipe dream as power losses alone would
be unacceptably huge. The ending of ROC subsidies for new-build turbines
and the inevitable smaller money pot for CfD (Contracts for Difference)
auctions should severely curtail the building of wind turbines (including
offshore), a result which experts warning against excessive implementation
of wind power would be relieved to see. However, you just never know with
political egos and the EU, where financial assessments are an enigma. They
seem to be ignoring the fundamental concept that electricity is most
economically generated as as close as possible to where the demand is.
Adding further costs to electricity generation will only further damage the
EU economy.
Christine Metcalfe
Taynuilt
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