Suspicion on energy payments

I hope wind turbine proponents listened to the Radio 4 programme mentioned by David Blackwell (September 7).

I noted with suspicion the proposal by the Energy Minister to re-apportion the handsome payouts to renewable energy providers.

It sounds as though the wind turbine importers will be receiving a greater share of the subsidies versus, for example, the researchers working on providing energy from the sea.

The latter would be utilising both wave energy and tidal energy, reliable and predictable sources. Even if the power from this source is initially at a low level it would be useful during the night and at off-peak times to enable shutdown of conventional generators.

Howard Betts (September 7) mentioned the 30 per cent reduction in his electricity bills from using a wind turbine at home. It's more likely to be turning down the heating thermostat and generally turning off appliances which has saved the money.

I hope the financial investment does effect a return over the lifetime of the device, though.

Notwithstanding this, I am constructing a small, experimental turbine simply to charge batteries. Small wind generators are a common sight in some less wealthy countries where they can run freezers or charge batteries used in small boats or telecommunications equipment in conjunction with solar panels.

D H Church, Pant