Britain ought to be investing in hi-tech energy efficiency measures rather than bailing out industrial dinosaurs like nuclear power if it wants to reduce the chances of US-style power blackouts (Blackout nightmares, 'could also happen in Britain', Leicester Mercury August 16).
It should be compulsory to fit energy-saving lighting and heating control systems to new buildings. Planning rules should ensure that new housing estates are fitted with decentralised, and therefore more reliable, community heating and combined heat and power. Grants should be given to public and private bodies to retrofit existing lighting and other energy equipment with energy efficient systems. Officials and executives who buy energy-using equipment should be properly trained in state-of-the-art energy efficiency techniques.
This is much better than pouring money into large power stations. Large units are themselves a de-stabilising force because when they go out of operation they can cause big system problems.
Bob Ball
Blackout Britain
Leicester Green Party, Spokesperson