Letters: the problem with Net Zero

Zero balance

Sir: James Kirkup (‘In defence of net zero’, 14 August) highlights the falling cost of solar and wind energy. But he fails to mention
that on some winter days, the associated capacity totals only around 1 to 10 per cent of UK maximum demand. Adding more solar and wind generation will not change that. The shortfall has to be made up by nuclear or fossil-fuelled power plants, or by energy storage plants, which cost money to install and maintain. How much money?

Ross Clark’s article (‘Zero-sum game’) is more enlightening, with a National Grid estimate of £3 trillion just to decarbonise the grid. Add to that the replacement of domestic gas boilers, with electric heat pumps, plus new radiators and pipework for 28 million households, and the cost rises to around £3.5 trillion, or £125,000 per family.

As Ross points out, the cost of decarbonising transport and industrial systems must also be added, bearing in mind that petrol and diesel duties (around £30 billion p.a.