I would not object (Bert Morrison)
With regard to Evelyn Morrison’s letter in this week’s Shetland times; if and when a windfarm application is lodged for the South Mainland I will not be objecting (and you can quote me on that).
With regard to possible health effects of living near a windfarm, with the number of windfarms now in existence (around 200 GW worldwide and rapidly growing; the most in a European country being Germany with 27 GW) you would think that if there was links to definite health effects then this would be clearly define where a turbine can be sited in relation to where people live.
Although much is made of this by anti-windfarm groups – is there actual non biased evidence from reliable independent studies from the likes of the NHS? If there is; it follows that there should be litigation cases against the windfarm owners does it not? One or two successful cases would stop them in their tracks.
A renewable energy industry could be hugely beneficial in Shetland’s long-term future. We are already seeing several companies interested in establishing the beginnings of marine renewables and several smaller windfarm proposals in Shetland.
For this to come to anything will need a link into the national grid. We can either look on this positively in the hope that it may add diversity to our economy or choose the negative view and turn our backs on it.
Bert Morrison
Ireland,
Bigton
douglas young
It is never negative to make an opposing point of view; to differ is human and essential in order to debate. You support Viking Energy, I do not, but that is more to do with the nonsensical subsidy and distance to the end user, than a blanket opposition to wind power. It is in fact pointless, inefficient, commercially skewed and politically driven. Small local windfarms on Shetland, ok. Large tidal wave power off Shetland, most definitely. Viking? As much an asset to Shetland as Mareel.
Bert Morrison
I would ask you then Douglas, given that oil and gas is becoming less and less affordable (and will continue to be so), what do you think is the answer to ‘going beyond oil’?
Renewables do not offer a cheap easy alternative to fossil fuels but I’m afraid the days of cheap energy are most probably finished. Sadly renewables will probably not pull the ever increasing number of our population out of fuel poverty. Personally I think mankind has very difficult years ahead. The UK as a nation is already energy deficient despite all the efforts in the North Sea. We are depending more and more on imported oil and gas. Given that a large pecentage of the hydrocarbons which are still in place are in places such as Russia and the Middle East; this is not good for future security of supplies or the countries balance of payments..
Let’s not forget that Nuclear power is not cheap either. Who picks up the tab for decommisioning them and storing the waste for countless years – most likely us the tax payers or should I say the poor future generations who saw absolutely no benefit from it but will never the less got lumbered with it.
I very much hope Viking will be more of an asset than Mareel (How that slipped through the net in the age of Austerity?. If Viking cannot stand on its own feet (at 50%+ efficiency) then there is no hope for the rest of the windturbines in Europe. As for marine renewables, I’m all for it, but any one who works on the sea will tell you salt water and mechanical/electrical machines are not the best of buddies. Expect plenty of maintenance and repairs – good for employment but expensive units of electricity.