Wind’s downsides
It would appear that Barry Hughes (Letters, 12 January) has not factored in the danger from wind power that arises when a lack of wind results in no output to provide light and heat for schools, hospitals and care homes, a problem that more than offsets difficulties that arise from fossil fuels.
In addition, replacing domestic gas (10p/unit ) with renewable electricity (34p/unit ) will be a major financial blow to those in fuel poverty, the forgotten sector of society, when currently 80 per cent of their energy use is met by fossl fuels.
Ian Moir, Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway
Battery power
While I agree that at some point in the future, we will have to phase out oil and gas, until we can recharge electric vehicles as quickly as we can refuel a petrol or diesel vehicle the electric vehicle option is not viable. Those who live in the countryside would struggle. I have yet to see an electric tractor, digger or combine harvester.
If only we could “switch batteries” on electric cars like putting new batteries in a torch, then the game would be on.
John Cutland, Kirkcaldy, Fife
Oil’s many uses
When will the SNP/Greens understand that every barrel of oil produced does not go to making petrol and diesel?
Without oil all industry would stop. For example, most of the machinery used in the construction industry operates with hydraulic oil. Oil is used in the manufacture of many products. Every piece of machinery needs lubrication, from bicycles to hospital lifts, electric cars and wind turbines – all of which use oil at some stage of manufacture.
However the SNP/Greens want to stop all oil production (Scotsman, 11 January) and instead import it from half-way round the world, at great cost both financially and environmentally. So much for their much-vaunted green agenda.
Charles Sinclair, Kirkcaldy, Fife
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