Peterheads new clean power station

[peter macdonald]

As the worlds governments strive to make the world a greener place we are seeing the fruits of scientific labour with installations such as he new clean power station at Peterhead as shown on the link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4748142.stm

however it appears that the commitment of the UK government to renewables in Scotland is not quite what it seems It would appear from the link below that the Peterhead power station will have pay almost £19 per KW to connect into the National grid ,if however if the same power station was located in SW England it would be GIVEN £8 per KW to connect

http://www.scottishrenewables.com/newsitem.asp?id=57

Sad but given Londons attitude to Scotlands energy production in the past hardly surprising
PM

[ywindythesecond]

As the worlds governments strive to make the world a greener place we are seeing the fruits of scientific labour with installations such as he new clean power station at Peterhead as shown on the link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4748142.stm

however it appears that the commitment of the UK government to renewables in Scotland is not quite what it seems It would appear from the link below that the Peterhead power station will have pay almost £19 per KW to connect into the National grid ,if however if the same power station was located in SW England it would be GIVEN £8 per KW to connect

http://www.scottishrenewables.com/newsitem.asp?id=57

Sad but given Londons attitude to Scotlands energy production in the past hardly surprising
PM

The high cost of grid connection at Peterhead reflects the cost of getting the energy to where it is used. The positive payment for power generated near where it is used is an incentive to have power generated near where it is used. Not to say that there are worthwhile exceptions when the environmental benefits are real.

[peter macdonald]

Do they not use elecricity in Aberdeen and the north of Scotland???
Seriously though it does not give out good signals regarding the london governments attitude to renewables does it? (Well Scottish renewables anyway)

[j4bberw0ck]

Speaking of signals about renewables, here's another prime piece of green / renewable energy horsefeathers, reported on Radio 4 this morning:


On December 14th, 2006, the European Parliament adopted the Resolution on a Strategy for Biomass and Biofuels (2006/2082(INI)). During the discussions, the following amendment was submitted unexpectedly and 'last minute' by ALDE MEPs from the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland, and endorsed by the Parliament:
"The European Parliament... [78] Calls on the Commission to include peat, with regard to the life-cycle aspect, as a longterm renewable energy source for biomass and bioenergy production".

I'm not sure how CO2 released by burning peat is immediately absorbed back into making new peat; if that's the case you'd better not stand too long on the peat beds or before you know it you'll be buried about 20 feet down. Like much of the debate about renewables, it's all political; is it any wonder people get cynical?



More >>>here<<< (http://www.imcg.net/imcgnl/nl0104/kap12.htm) (looking at the longer term background to the politicking) and >>>here<<< (http://www.imcg.net/docum/peatrenewable.htm), responding to the latest wisdom of our unelected masters in the EU.

[KittyMay]

Speaking of signals about renewables, here's another prime piece of green / renewable energy horsefeathers, reported on Radio 4 this morning:



I'm not sure how CO2 released by burning peat is immediately absorbed back into making new peat; if that's the case you'd better not stand too long on the peat beds or before you know it you'll be buried about 20 feet down. Like much of the debate about renewables, it's all political; is it any wonder people get cynical?



More >>>here<<< (http://www.imcg.net/imcgnl/nl0104/kap12.htm) (looking at the longer term background to the politicking) and >>>here<<< (http://www.imcg.net/docum/peatrenewable.htm), responding to the latest wisdom of our unelected masters in the EU.

Oh my God - and this to a natural carbon sink that I believe is over 3 times more effective that rain forests. Incredible! Is there no end to this madness?

[j4bberw0ck]

>>>Interesting article<<< (http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/bjrn_lomborg/2007/02/climate_hysteria.html)about climate change, with no hysterical ranting about "we're doomed".

[peter macdonald]

J.Wok thanks for posting this very interesting arcticle ,it seems to give a balanced view as to what is really going on .
I see the London government is really getting in to the renewables as the link below shows ...Aye right !
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6334765.stm shows

whilst at the same time whilst Jack Maconnel is cutting his flights to London back from 8 per annum to 4 we find that money that could be spent on developing renewable energy projects in Scotland is left lying in London with the Scottish parliaments knowledge

It doesnt matter what political party anyone supports but does there not seem to be a whole lot of incompetence and blue louw (hot air!) around this subject in both governments


Lib-Lab Exec Hold Back £38.7 Million Renewables Cash
holyrood - 2006-11-28
SNP Shadow Energy, Rural Affairs and Environment Minister Richard Lochhead MSP today (Monday) called on the Labour and Lib Dem Government to demand the release of the £38.7 million surplus of the Scottish Fossil Fuel levy being held back in London coffers, money which could be spend on vital renewable projects in Scotland.

A Scottish Parliament written answer revealed that a £38.7 surplus is being held by Ofgem from the Scottish fossil fuel levy from the Scottish Consolidated Fund, almost three times the amount of cash allocated by the Labour and Lib Dem government to micro-renewables since 2003.

Mr Lochhead MSP said:

"Mr McConnell's government is sitting on its hands while £38.7 million of cash for Scottish renewables is being held back in London coffers. This is almost three times the amount of cash allocated by the Labour and Lib Dem government to micro-renewables since 2003.

"This blows away the Lib-Lab administrations claims that they are serious about the future of Scottish renewables.

"No wonder we have other countries racing ahead in the renewables sector when we have a government that has renewables cash but isn't prepared to use it.

"This is Scotland's money and it must be spent on our renewables future.

"It's time for a greener and more sustainable Scotland. Next year it's a straight choice between a Labour government who have failed to realise Scotland's renewable potential or an SNP government led by Alex Salmond which will help Scotland become the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy."

ENDS

Notes:

The full details of the written parliamentary answer are as follows:

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT - WRITTEN ANSWER

16 November 2006

Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department

Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current level of surplus held by Ofgem from the Scottish fossil fuel levy, yet to be transferred to the Scottish Consolidated Fund, is. (S2W-29484)

Allan Wilson: As of October 16 2006, the Fossil Fuel Levy surplus stood at £38,697,234.67. We remain in contact with Ofgem over this issue.

I was going to edit out the party political bits as I dont want give any bias to anyone but left it in as it is a transcription of the question in th Edinburgh Parliament