Team up on turbines

Recent articles and pictures of off-shore wind turbines, tidal and wave power generators leads me to believe these designers don't talk to each other.

Could they not share the huge costs of building at sea by co-operating on common sites? They might not be perfectly sited for either, but it is the cost per kWh that matters; sharing the up-front investment would help with the pay-back period and thus the cost to the customer, as well as the time-to-market.

I am sure investors would be happier to see money, time, skills and environmental efforts going into a shared project, rather than an all-or-nothing strategy. In short, don't compete — collaborate!

David Cutter Knaresborough, North Yorks

 

Driving in Scotland and seeing signs 'No super-pylons' (referring to windmills being constructed in the Highlands), I reckon we should give locals a choice.

Either a field of windmills which have a dramatic effect on the landscape (but to which the locals will become accustomed) and are harmless with regard to the rural ecosystems, or a stonking great nuclear power station — and we all know about their impact.

If there is still no reconciliation, then just refuse to provide electricity to those regions. Having travelled a lot in Scotland, I know the landscape is bleak and empty and useless for agriculture, and with the energy needs of the nation forever rising, every resource has to be tapped. Local pride and conservation is an unrealistic view — and unsustainable.

Melanie Watson, Cheshire


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