LETTER AS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO LETTER FROM DAVID PHILLIPS IN THE BANGOR & ANGLESEY MAIL, 2006-02-15

Dear Editor,

David Phillips in his letter about the closure of the Wylfa nuclear power station (Bangor & Anglesey Mail, 15th February 2006), suggests that we need another one to replace it. But given the many problems associated with nuclear power (see www.mng.org.uk/green_house/renewable_energy/no_nukes.htm#no_to_nukes ), it would be very much better if we were to take advantage of the exciting opportunities that are opening up for truly renewable forms of energy. In this letter I would like to described some of those opportunities.

There are several devices that have been developed or are being developed to capture energy from tidal streams in the sea. One of the most fully developed is similar to a wind turbine but designed to operate under the sea (Marine Current Turbines, www.marineturbines.com/home.htm). The Welsh Assembly is part-funding a study by MCT to identify locations around the Welsh coastline where its tidal stream technology could be suitable. Preliminary results show that there is a tremendous resource off Anglesey with the potential to generate in excess of 150 MW if fully exploited. This would go a long way towards meeting the 250 MW needed by Anglesey Aluminium, thereby helping to safeguard jobs at that plant. There will also be long-term jobs in the management and maintenance of the marine turbines themselves.

Contrary to some alarmist talk, a marine turbine is not a "giant mincing machine". It turns much more slowly than a ship's propeller, at about the same speed as a revolving door, and presents no danger to fish or other marine life. The greatest part of a marine turbine is under water so that the visual impact is minimal.

Another very promising development is the 'Pelamis' wave power device developed by Ocean Power Delivery in Scotland (www.oceanpd.com/). Each device is a jointed tube 120 metres long and 3.5 meters in diameter that floats on the sea and generates electricity as it flexes in the waves. Each device can generate 750 KW, about the same as an onshore wind turbine. A 'farm' of Pelamis wave energy converters would normally be some distance away from the shore and, because they lie flat on the sea, there would be little or nothing to be seen from the shore. A Pelamis farm of moderate size to the south west of Anglesey (capturing energy from the Atlantic rollers) could easily generate 250 MW or more. As with marine turbines, there will be long-term jobs in the management and maintenance of wave power systems.

Anglesey has great opportunities to be part of a renewable energy future. It should grasp them with vigour.

Sincerely,

Gerry Wolff

Address details