With the decommissioning of the UK's coal and nuclear power stations, the big renewable energy bluff will finally be exposed as we begin to suffer power cuts. What is amazing is that articles by so called energy experts in Cornish papers can only think of adding more unpredictable wind and solar to our energy mix. I cannot understand how they think that renewable power systems that require up to 90% backup will keep the lights on. What is more likely is that Cornwall's rush for wind turbines and solar farms will destabilise the grid not give us a secure supply.
Now we have the possibility that power companies will hold the government to ransom and demand a high price for its electricity equal to that paid for wind and solar if we want them to build new nuclear at Hinkley point or new clean coal and gas power stations. We may not like it but nuclear and shale gas are the only things that will keep the lights on and keep our industry competitive.
The green movement who have much to answer for in destroying our power infrastructure will point to Germany as an example of a country decommissioning its nuclear plants and committing to wind and solar power.
Do not be deceived. Germany is having to import more and more coal and nuclear power from its neighbours to keep the lights on, it has already suffered power glitches.
The UK has not the luxury of neighbours with cheap spare power.
Of course many have pointed out that some times Germany has been overwhelmed by power from its renewables, but that is an attempt to mislead you because if Germany has 20% of its energy from wind and solar how can it ever supply all its needs on those rare occasions when the wind is blowing flat out all over Germany and the sun is bright everywhere? What really happens is that when renewables come on line the conventional power stations see a drop in demand form their generators, they have no idea how much power or for how long it will be supplied and so they still have to continue to burn power and pay for all that planned for local and imported energy.
Sadly Cornwall council will allow more wind turbines and massive solar farms to be built and use money that it should be using to run services for the Cornish to put up its own turbines and solar panels. The council and the likes of Merlin Hyman from Regen South West will still boast of the south west as having a bright future in renewable energy which will bring thousands of jobs and prosperity ( forgetting the last 25 years that they have been saying it) while paying for anyone to connect to the wave hub.
Our MPs and councillors will keep going on about energy mixes because it sounds good.
Solar to keep the lights on! Keep the council planning executives pay high, more like.