 I, like millions of others I expect, even demand that when I flick the light switch on the lights come on. But if international events and the RSPB have anything to do with it, could be just a memory. This is why we, us Europeans must take steps to reduce total reliance on another country to supply energy commodities especially when that certain country is slipping back to it's old ways. It also doesn't help when in our own backyard the objectors are attempting to block future plans for energy, ie; Nuclear and renewable forms such as wind and tidal. So, the Greens are objecting to "Green Energy", not very helpful then!
We all need energy in one form or another, we cannot just opt out like some really green environmentalists would suggest. So, with some alarm I hear that the RSPB and other parties have put the blockers on the siting of a massive wind turbine on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. This turbine farm would have virtually supplied Scotland's electricity demands, even the local Scots wanted it. However the RSPB who have influential members placed a big objection. No, it wasn't to protect the bird life - just don't want a blot on the landscape they said. Not that there's a lot on Lewis anyway.
A similar objection was raised over the Severn Tidal barrage. Would cause flooding and loss of some birds habitat. But if you have ever taken the time to look down from the bridges you would see a massive tidal movement of water swirling and rushing virtullay 24 hours a day. Now you can see why suicide jumpers succeed here. Nigh on impossible for rescue. Surface vessel very rarely negoiate this part of the channel so they thats not a problem. Marine life returning up the Severn river - Pass throughs although wildlife objectors say this probably won't work either. But a barrage would help prevent flooding upstream in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. So, no cheap, our very own home grown power there for some time to come then?
The Americans only went into the middle east not necessarily to help the oppressed people but oil. Yes, probably right, secondary goal was to secure supplies of oil and gas. The politicians and interested parties are giving Georgia their full support. Europe has discontinued closer link talks with Russia, the one country that has lots and lots of Gas and Oil. But, with the Kremlin slipping back to the old guard rather than becoming an international player we could see us in Europe being blackmailed over energy. This is why the US and Europe are looking after our "friends" in eastern Europe because they will be hosting the new transit pipelines rather than relying on Russia. An example there was the sudden turn off of gas to the Ukraine.
I really hoped that the new Russia would be more integrated with Europe and the world as a whole. Stop being suspicious of anything at all, stop thinking that the West will invade and stop always being on the opposite side or objecting to decisions made at the United Nations. In other words stop being bloody awkward!
We cannot afford and allow ourselves into a situation where we are totally reliant on other countries, stable, democratic or otherwise to influence our decisions or way of life using energy as a possible economic weapon, Which is why if these objectors don't stop blocking our future energy needs they will be sitting round the camp fire with the rest of us and taking full credit for the lights not coming on.
Further to add to the muddle, in a bit of a rush whilst Tony Blair was near ending his regime, he signed us up along with some other Euro states to cut carbon emissions by 20% at the end of 2020. Even if we could start right now with no objections, no planning inquiries, limitless funds, this reduction figure which was pulled out of a magic hat along with a bunny, say engineers is not possible.
Take Denmark for an example. They have had wind farms for years and although a small country they have 400 plus turbines. In the North sea off their coast is a large wind farm of eighty turbines. The other 320 are land based. The Danes say that these turbines can generate approx 20% of their electricity needs, the 80% shortfall is imported from Sweden and Norway and Germany. Now, believe it not, those eighty turbines out at sea generate the same amount of power as all those 320 land based. Why? Because it is invariably windy in the North Sea. Of course when the weather out there is in the doldrums they have to buy in more.
Of all of Europe, our shores are the windiest so it makes sense to build as many turbines out at sea mainly on the west side to ensure a possible continuous supply of energy. But, and this is a big "but" we must have back-up power available too and on demand.
Coal Build new coal fired, albeit with carbon scrubber technology, power stations? Coal is relatively cheap and we have still got lots of our own. Problem here is that the boilers don't fire up quickly so that's probably a no go. I cannot imagine any power provider putting in plans to build these.
Oil Definitely a non starter. Our way of life is already manipulated and controlled by oil producers. We don't really have much of our own oil, therefore being beholden to other states would be a stupid path to follow. Anyway I need it to run my car so I can get to work at unsociable hours, to earn a few bucks which are near instantly levered from my caloused hands by ever increasing price hikes, stealth tax and VAT.
Gas Now here's a good possibility. Emissions again can be filtered. Instant fire up, just like central heating but a grander scale. Can have the flame on simmer and when all the kettles go on during the interval of Coronation Street, can turn the gas up. Sorry, not that simple and here's why. 1. We haven't got many gas power stations. 2. Takes a long time to build 'em. 3. We haven't got our own gas fields. We have to import most of it, which is piped across Europe. We could import it from the Middle East, freeze it and store it in South Wales in big insulated bunkers and pipe it up and down the country. We are already on to that project. But we still have to buy in. 4. If many other countries do the same thinking there would be a rush for gas, prices would spiral out of control and again we would suffer.
Nuclear Probably the only option in reality. The problem as always is what to do with the waste fuel rods. Seal them and store deep underground in a disused mine. Trouble here is the possibility of terrorists accessing some to make "dirty bombs". So high security dumps for time immortal unless we don't have any terrorists in the future. Long term wise nuclear is the future whether we like it not.
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