Energy blame

Developers can argue that they are simply seeking to follow Government policy and provide the “green energy” the Government is contracted to generate by 2020.

The problem is not with the developers. It is with the Government.

The renewable energy targets set by the Government for areas like Hambleton were produced without reference to the actual capacity of areas to produce green energy” – surely this should have been the major consideration?

Targets are also set in mW.

This is absolutely absurd. Targets should be based on actual output or the amount of fossil fuels saved or even the total of energy saved. Wind farms only produce 27.4 per cent of capacity as output and produce it at uncontrollable times. Current estimates of the back up needed for wind farms are very variable but range up to 100 per cent of wind farm capacity though more usually about 75 per cent. Back up is very expensive and uses fossil fuels.

Anaerobic digestion, incinerators, wood-burning power installations and ground source heat pumps can all be more effective when measured in terms of output for the nominal capacity installed. Their operating times can be controlled so back up is not needed. Such installations will, for equal nominal capacity, produce more output but not help so much to reach the Government target for total capacity.

The cost of wind electricity is about two and a half times that of conventional or nuclear power. As Mr Quinn points out, its operation is subsidised by conventional producers. We believe targets imposed are illogical, uncosted and, in economic, technical and production terms, deeply unsound. They must not be used as guidelines.

The Government is acting irresponsibly in failing to produce a costed overall plan for power production. Until such a plan is produced no wind turbine farms should be built. The country simply cannot afford to spend capital on ineffective and expensive production.

DAVID CLARKE Campaign to Protect Rural England, North Yorkshire Branch.