Government faith in wind powered energy was described by a national newspaper commentator yesterday as "a delusion that mediaeval methods could fuel the 21st Century."I know that many correspondents to this paper share that view. I must admit the sporadic performance of the single turbine on Swansea docks, as viewed from my bedroom window, inclines me to agree with them.

Government faith in wind powered energy was described by a national newspaper commentator yesterday as "a delusion that mediaeval methods could fuel the 21st Century."I know that many correspondents to this paper share that view. I must admit the sporadic performance of the single turbine on Swansea docks, as viewed from my bedroom window, inclines me to agree with them.

But now the world's biggest wind farm is planned for the Bristol Channel between Swansea and Ilfracombe. The figures involved with this scheme are enormous. Turbines 500 ft high covering an area the size of the Isle of Wight at a cost of £3 billion.

The barometer is set for storms, but new planning legislation will make it easier for governments to overcome local opposition to gigantic and unpopular schemes like this or (whisper it if you dare) new nuclear power stations.

Web link: http://thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?node...