3 minute read
Letters
Take the broad view on energy policy
We should consider our energy policy in the round Keith Weaton-Green (The future is renewable, New Blackmore Vale, 5 August).
First, we should not conflate electricity with energy. The former accounts for 30/35 per cent of the latter and under the Government policy of Net Zero would increase substantially over time.
Renewables are and will continue to be an important part of our sources of electricity. However, wind power is subject to interruption, when the wind ceases to blow and when it blows too hard. In recent weeks, electricity from wind power has been as low as 4 per cent and 7 per cent, while rated capacity is rising to 55 per cent of current demand. This means it has to be backed up by standby capacity, which realistically can only be met by gas-fired generation, which substantially increases the cost of wind power. The same applies mutatis mutandis to solar power.
Three further issues need to be taken into account – first, widely scattered small scale production from wind and solar are virtually irrelevant, unless used in their immediate vicinity; second, battery storage technology is in its infancy; and thirdly, the capacity of the grid is almost at breaking point and will require massive capital expenditure to handle projected volumes.
Some 10 per cent and declining of our electricity comes from nuclear power. I agree with Mr Wheaton-Green on the costs and risks associated with EDF’s nuclear technology. However, we should put every effort into bringing forward Rolls Royce modular plants, which are proven but need to be scaled up. We could start installing these within two years on all existing nuclear sites.
We rely increasingly on imports of electricity through inter-connectors from the EU, which is generated from a variety of fuels, including hydro-carbons, and from Norway from hydro-power. Both are likely to be increasingly unreliable, as the priority will be to meet domestic demand.
The final and critical element of our electricity generation is from gas, which accounts for 40/55 per cent of total generation.
Turning to the balance of our energy consumption, which accounts for 65/70 per cent of the total, this is comprised almost entirely of oil and gas. The major uses of oil and diesel are to power motor vehicles, trains, homes and much of industry; and gas, to heat among other things 22 million homes, as well as a multitude of industrial uses.
In setting targets, we need to take into account that we are responsible for barely one per cent of carbon worldwide and that it makes no sense to embark on the overhasty adoption of substitutes, many of which are as yet unproven and uneconomic. Gas will continue to play an important part in our energy mix for the foreseeable future. What is clear is that we need to take all practical steps to increase our security of supply by diversifying to the extent possible the range of energy generation and the diversity of sources of supply. In the immediate future the Government needs to call in the oil and gas industry and the all-out development of domestic supply from offshore and from hydraulic fracturing on land.
Patrick de Pelet Templecombe
Why am I not allowed to pay by cash in some eating and dining establishments in Shaftesbury.
Three times recently, on going to pay, I have been advised ‘card-only payment’.
When I questioned whatever happened to personal choice and that cash is legal tender etc I get a shrug of shoulders.
Whatever happened to customer service?
Camilla Trimble Via email
How sad to see Roger White coarsening political debate with his unpleasant rant against a New Blackmore Vale contributor (Letters, 5 August).
Didn’t the Tories promise to do something about so-called cancel culture?
Oh well, seems it’s yet another broken promise from Boris.
Simon Moon Mere
Oops! Your article ‘Travel for better fuel prices’ (New Blackmore Vale, August 19) could come as surprise to drivers living in or near Sherborne.
You reported that at the time of going to press, petrol at the Co-op in Sherborne was 165.9p/ litre. When did edition 50 go to press? There hasn’t been a Co-op in Sherborne for quite a few years!
Is it possible you meant Budgens, which sells BP fuel on its site in Sherborne?
Gordon Ratcliffe Chetnole
I liked your interview with Paula Carnell (New Blackmore Vale August 5).
I have been a beekeeper for 44 years and would add to what Paula said by saying that beekeeping is like mindful meditation in that whenever you have a hive open everything else leaves your mind.
