LETTER FROM GERRY WOLFF PUBLISHED IN THE EXPRESS & ECHO (EXETER), 2007-05-26

Contrary to suggestions in the new Energy White Paper, there are more than enough clean, safe sources of electricity to meet our needs and there is absolutely no need for nuclear power and all its many headaches.There are now several reports showing in detail how the UK can meet its needs for electricity, make deep cuts in CO2 emissions from electricity generation, and phase out nuclear power.

It is simply not true that "the lights will go out" without nuclear power.

The British Wind Energy Association says that "the UK's offshore resource is equivalent to three times the UK's annual electricity consumption".

But rather than rely on one single source of renewable electricity, there are good reasons to develop a variety of sources.

In summary, UK electricity needs may be met quite comfortably, and soon, from the following renewable, carbon-free sources:

                        % of total UK demand

Wind power (large scale)           20+
Wave power                         20
Tidal currents                      3
Tidal lagoons                       8
Photovoltaics                      20+
Micro wind power                    6
Combined heat and power            16
Concentrating solar power          15
Reduced wastage                    10+

Total                             118

Apart from these sources, there is energy from biomass and there are plans to import geothermal electricity from Iceland, as reported recently in The Times.

There is no "energy gap", only a gap in the political will needed to bring these renewable sources of energy on stream.

Dr Gerry Wolff

Last updated: 2008-03-21 (ISO 8601)