Wind farms and hot air (From Western Telegraph)

Wind farms and hot air

Dear Editor, - Elizabeth Morley (Letters, July 31st) states that wind farms get massive subsidies.

Firstly, wind farms are usually funded by generating companies and green investors such as myself; secondly, some wind farms now being built will not receive any non-fossil-fuel (NFFO) premium on their electricity sales; thirdly, BNFLs nuclear fuel reprocessing business is £2,000 million in debt and the Government is shoring it up and nuclear power generators all get NFFO money.

John Etheringtons letter (August 7th) alleging ruination of the landscape by wind farms was so subjective and selective. He ignored the grotesque ironmongery of the huge pylons running to Pembroke that we first see at Pont Abraham. He didnt mention the smoke and grime of Margam, plus the foul stink of Baglan Bay can carry as far as Brecon. As for secluded hill country: Any land within sight of a motorway is blighted by that motorway. Yes, and what is Dr Etherington doing in his polluting car? Surely, if he really cared about the environment he would travel by train, and encourage our visitors to do so?

As for conventional power stations, Baglan Moors is a disgrace because none of its waste heat will be reclaimed to heat houses; and Aberthaws none-too-aesthetic chimney pours out sulphur and fine dust which usually lands on Cardiff.

This pro/anti wind power tennis match on the letters page has gone on long enough. Couldnt a public debate in a decent-sized venue be arranged, giving everyone in the region and not just a few individuals a chance to speak their minds?

Christopher Jessop Independent Energy Consultant 1 West End, Marloes.