It may be more pleasing to see 20 wind turbines on the Severn estuary than a new large nuclear power plant.

There is however a problem.

The new plant projected for Oldbury will supply 2700MW. Its availability will probably be well in excess of 90 per cent of the time.

Twenty large wind turbines each  of 3MW capacity with an availability of maximum 40 per cent of the time will supply 24MW, hardly a reasonable comparison.

Renewable energy sources have their place but it is not as reliable base load suppliers.

As yet we have no means of storing electrical power which further reduces the contribution of intermittent supplies such as wind-power.

I have no vested interest in this but I do have a real concern that we are running out of generating capacity.

– R Bullen C.Eng. M.I.Mech.E., Beachley.