There are no guarantees

Many people will not know that some years ago a Westminster government department (possibly the Department of Trade and Industry) made the decision to put all their renewable energy eggs into one basket, labelled “Windfarms”.

The reason they did this was that they knew years ago that just the suggestion of building new nuclear power stations was a seriously hot potato and capable of bringing a government down.

However, thinking ahead as some folk do the DTI concluded that the development of lots of windfarms would guarantee new nuclear power stations in the future to address the unpredictable and erratic nature of wind energy as well as the lack of storage technology.

So for all those on either side in the Viking Energy debate who are seeking guarantees that it will work, pay back the carbon emissions it will create or the investment, will or won’t destroy the natural beauty of the isles, etc, you are all out of luck as there are no guarantees on any of these issues.

The only guarantee applicable to windfarms is the guarantee of new nuclear power stations, evidenced by the recent announcement of the Westminster government that there are to be some new nuclear power stations built in England and Wales.

So what? some might ask. Well Shetland Islands Council is a member of the Nuclear Free Local Authorities organisation (NFLA) and has been for a number of  years with councillors Rick Nickerson and Iris Hawkins the present SIC representatives on the NFLA Scottish steering group.

The main aim of this body is to oppose nuclear weapons and new nuclear power stations and it’s cost quite a bit over the years to be a member. The Viking Energy project is part of the great windfarm scam that has brought about the building of new nuclear power stations and the toxic dumps that go with them. In addition should the project get the go-ahead the inter-connector, so crucial to the project, will of course bring nuclear generated power for the first time into Shetland.

So what? some might ask. Well given the above it is no longer appropriate for the SIC to continue wasting any more money being a member and save the £1,200 or so yearly membership fee and the away days. If every good citizen in Shetland could come up with a few savings like this it would surely help our beleaguered councillors trim the budgets.

Vic Thomas
Clousta.

ONE COMMENT

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  • Matthew Laurenson

    • November 11th, 2010 11:34

    The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) at it’s now known is deliberately encouraging the construction of wind energy developments, in order to necessitate the building of nuclear power stations?

    Well that’s certainly not something they have included on the syllabus of renewable energy engineering courses.

    What will we hear next?

    In all seriousness though, this is the kind of allegation which can neither be properly refuted, or confirmed. The letter above does not contribute anything to the debate but loose conspiracy; People will hopefuly realise that and continue to examine the VE proposal on its merits, of which there are many.

    Kind Regards,
    Matthew Laurenson
    Aberdeen

    REPLY

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