Labour’s flagship Great British Energy policy has got off to a controversial start following our report yesterday that the firm looks set to get involved in local planning disputes as it seeks to double onshore wind capacity in the next six years.
Today, one of our readers expresses his alarm at the proliferation of wind farms.
James Graham of Clydebank writes:
"Today's lead article follows my (aborted due to breakdown) drive yesterday to my hometown of Langholm for the annual Common Riding. Following my usual practice I left the M74 at Lesmahagow and joined the old A74, now B7606, for a less stressful journey, allowing me to take in the scenery.
Over recent years I have noticed the ever-growing number of wind generators starting in South Lanarkshire and continuing for around 20 miles into Dumfriesshire but was staggered by the scale now evident. They are literally spread from horizon to horizon over every hillside in the whole area, completely dominating the countryside.
I have no illusions about my knowledge of the financial implications of these beasts, but common sense tells me there must be a huge effect on the carbon footprint, ranging from the cost of building the generators, constructing the road infrastructure which connects each of them and which must be able to bear the weight of the generators and the trucks transporting them to site, plus payments to various landowners. As their life expectancy is around 25 years it is difficult to imagine that the benefits can outweigh these costs plus that of replacing them. Much of the income generated in construction of course goes to other countries.
While I can appreciate the inherent risks in nuclear generation the benefits to my mind outweigh these of wind generation and the desecration of the landscape is appalling."
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