Gas and air
It was unfortunate that, in his reply to Clark Cross, Dr Stephen Moreton (Letters, 29 February) used incorrect data to make two incorrect claims that “renewables are cheaper than fossil fuels for electricity generation”.
The first problem is the refusal by Greens supporters to recognise that, as wind output is based on an inefficient, unreliable technology (no wind means no electricity), then the cost of back-up generation needs to be added to the cost of electricity from wind farms.
The second mistake is the failure to note that generation costs only from 35 per cent of the bill consumers must pay. The April 2024 Ofgem data indicates that domestic gas is priced at 6p/unit plus 31p/day standing charge (ie the cost has returned to prices charged in 2021) while electricity is 24p/unit plus 60p/day standing charge, which is 50 per cent higher than the price in 2021.
This means that a ban on domestic gas will result in a 300 per cent increase in annual consumer bills once such a ban is introduced which will escalate the cost-of-living crisis in Scotland!
Ian Moir, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway
Windy wonderland
Perhaps we should all consider starting a business in Scotland and, in particular, one generating electricity from the wind. Indeed, at a recent tea party Alice was amazed at hearing Scottish wind farms shared £275 million in 2023 for – wait for it – switching off their wind generators at times of high wind and/or low demand, or at times when the grid did not have enough capacity to accommodate the power that was being generated.
The Mad Hatter added gleefully that at the end of the day, the cost would be added to the bills of households and business owners, saying it was a jolly good wheeze, getting the naive and gullible to pay. At this point the dormouse was laughing so much that he spilt his cup of tea and fell off his chair at the suggestion of the Mad Hatter being thought mad.
I never thought that in the 21st century I would be writing such bizarre words, but such is the limitation of those responsible for the UK energy strategy and general lack of engineering knowledge that we have come to such a sorry state. Especially when the solution is so straightforward – but of course, it requires engineering knowledge and common sense. Quite simply, our current energy strategy should be predominantly modern, efficient gas-fired power stations complemented by hydro and tidal schemes, until realistic and environmentally acceptable generation is available. Gas-fired power stations could become more environmentally acceptable if fed with pre-heated geothermal water – if only the Romans were still in Bath so as to teach politicians a thing or two!
Dave Haskell, Brithdir, Cardigan
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