THE Transmissions Pathway to 2030 (TP) aims to “unlock Scotwind’s full potential” to provide power to the UK while helping to achieve net zero and mitigate the effects of climate change. This will require at least 1,800 kilometres of cables, a substantial proportion of which will be carried overhead on 60-metrehigh high lattice-design pylons at an estimated cost of at least £20 billion. It will also need numerous substations and battery energy storage systems.
According to the transmission owners, the National Grid and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, their supposedly democratic “consultation” process has shown that “the public understand and support the benefits this massive investment could bring”. This is nothing more than pure spin because countless voices of opposition are being raised throughout the land.
Like the wind industry they are also employing the tactic of offering a Community Development Fund amounting to a paltry £100 million in order to mollify concerns. We have been repeatedly told that the renewables sector would provide cheaper electricity but this fallacy is now plain for all to see and in addition we will duly see our pockets picked again when the TP costs appear on our bills.
The Labour Government has declared “war on nimbyism”. This is a blatant affront to democracy. However it is now actively pursuing the development and eventual largescale deployment of zero-emissions small modular nuclear reactors (SMRS). A single SMR occupying just a few acres will continuously generate 470 megawatts. This is enough to power around 470,000 homes which is the equivalent capacity of 150 onshore wind turbines. I
If our political masters had resisted the pressures of the Greens and not procrastinated for so long on this option then this reckless expenditure and disruption could have been avoided and perhaps the climate change gravy train would not be so lucrative.
Neil J Bryce,
Kelso.
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