Electricity levy aids the wind moguls

THE new 5% levy on electricity puts the tin hat on the greatest scam of the past 50 years, ie, wind power.

With guaranteed long-term take-off contracts we are already committed to paying billons of euro to the wind moguls and this new levy puts another €150m per annum into their pockets.

One could reluctantly accept these costs if there was any chance of getting green renewable energy as promised.

Unfortunately, wind turbines produce very little energy (only 25%-30% of rated capacity) and most of that simply goes to waste because wind seldom blows when needed.

Incredibly, we pay premium rates for every watt even when produced in the wee small hours and is utterly worthless. Privately, grid operators admit that because of wind’s unreliability and volitility it is worse than useless on the grid and only causes disruption.

Wind power could indeed be useful if used to pump water to higher storage for later hydro-power generation at times of peak demand, but this doesn’t even get a mention in Minister Eamon Ryan’s energy plans.

Sycophantic civil servants, the energy regulator, and particularly the ESB, have a lot to answer for.

Dick Keane

Silchester Park

Glenageary

Co Dublin