Vocal locals

The problem with meeting local energy needs locally is more one of planning than technology.

The planning regime in this country is tortuous enough on large-scale projects that could meet the needs of millions of people.

Repeating the process on a neighbourhood basis, with the inevitable wrangling over what gets built where and close to whom, is mind boggling.

I suspect you could tell people until you are blue in the face about the advantages of local power generation — even that it would reduce their bills — and still run up against enough opposition to derail your whole project.

The best example of this mindset is mobile phone base stations. The population is mobile crazy but the masts that make the system work are treated as public enemy number one by those who live close to them.

K Johnson

Portsmouth