Sir, – Among the benefits cited by Brendan McGrath (April 5th) for the building of wind farms is that they “contribute to the energy security of the State”. I think wind farms contribute little, if anything, towards achieving this important objective.
When the wind doesn’t blow, the fallback is primarily to conventional thermal plant running on coal (Moneypoint) or gas (nearly everywhere else). For decades, we have had hopeless energy policy in Ireland which serves only to maintain our reliance on imported hydrocarbons, often from politically volatile countries. The growth of our wind energy sector will do little to fundamentally alter this risky reliance. – Yours, etc,
EAMONN O’REILLY,
Sion Road,
Glenageary, Co Dublin.
Sir, – It’s all very well for Frank McDonald to promote the benefits of wind (Opinion, April 6th), but he says nothing about what to do when the wind doesn’t blow.
For example, this very morning, at 10am, wind managed to generate a mere 25 MW, against a demand for over 3000 MW. What are we supposed to do in such circumstances – pile on the coal and gas, and load the environment with ever more carbon?
No, while wind has a place in our future energy mix, we need a consistent source of power, which can act as a back-up for those down-times.
The obvious solution is nuclear power, which is reliable, cheap and clean. – Yours, etc,
DAVID SOWBY,
Knocksinna Crescent,
Dublin 18.