Sir, 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.
He conveniently fails 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 to maintain grid stability. The saying about being hoist with one’s own petard springs to mind!
Dr GM Lindsay. Scientific Alliance Scotland, 7 – 9 North St David Street, Edinburgh.
Ironic that SNP rely on England
Sir, Longannet coal plant in Fife could be closed by the owners Scottish Power within three years because the high network charges, set by regulator Ofgem, will make the plant unprofitable by next winter.
Nicola Sturgeon is dem-anding that David Cameron changes the rules to “keep the lights on” in Scotland. Is this the same Ms Sturgeon who, with Alex Salmond, vowed to close coal-fired and nuclear plants and rely on wind?
Longannet provides 2400MW of electricity for two million homes and nuclear energy provided 35% of Scotland’s needs. Scotland is becoming increasingly reliant on importing English electricity. It is ironic that the SNP are reliant on England and that the imported power is mainly generated from nuclear, coal and gas.
If the First Minister is so concerned about security of electricity supplies she should champion reliable new gas plants fuelled by Scottishshale gas.
Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.
Only a fleeting existence
Sir, There is quite a great deal of correspondence on the subject of global warming.
Recently I listened to a talk on this subject given by a well-respected scientist with more than a passing knowledge of the subject.
He remarked that if the period of time life had existed on Earth was compressed into a year man’s existence would be apparent only in the last five or six seconds.
He did not think the intervention of human activities was going to make overmuch of a difference to the future of our world.
A A Bullions. 6 Glencairn Crescent, Leven.
Astonished by the arrogance
Sir, I am astonished at the arrogance of the Humanist Society member who has objected to the circulation of the Christian book at Robert Douglas Memorial School, and the support the complaint has received from Gary McLelland of the Humanist Society.
Why did the head teacher have to decide “not to use the literature in future”? Were threats or bullying used?
If the child doesn’t wish the book why not simply decline to take it? If the parent is unhappy about it, then hand it back to the donor. But to demand that the book be withdrawn as ‘not appropriate’, while I presume the Humanist Society can promote their own doctrines, seems to be pitifully one-sided.
If the book had been recommending a brand of healthy food, or footwear, or bikes, that would be normal secular marketing; why not a Christian publication by the Scripture Union, a well-respected and constructively active organisation?
John Wilson. Fernbank, Craighall Castle Drive, Rattray.
Support now for City Hall?
Sir, You report that Historic Scotland’s £750,000 grant for improving buildings in the Fair City gives a very welcome boost to improving our appearance, especially considering upgrading the York Place birthplace of the great John Buchan, arguably our city’s most distinguished son.
Councillor Kellas, Chair-man of Perth and Kinross Council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee, will, it is fervently to be hoped, now come to support the revival of our City Hall, at present under dire threat of demolition, a crazy, proposed destruction of a great asset, in no-one’s interests, with Historic Scotland opposed, it is said.
Isabel and Charles Wardrop. 111 Viewlands Road West, Perth.
A sense of utter despair
Sir, I strongly support all the sentiments expressed by Eva McDonald in her most articulate letter (Can’t they see the folly of this?), pub-lished on February 13.
A sense of utter despair is what I feel and I really wonder when the council will start listening to the people of Perth before our lovely city which has so much potential loses its identity.
Margaret Grant. 39 Muirton Bank, Perth.