THE report that up to 45 wind turbines may be sited to the north of Newton Aycliffe, between the A1(M) and the A167 (Echo, April 28) simply beggars belief.

At the present time, County Durham hosts more than 70 of these enormous structures, 39 of them between the A1(M) and the coast. If they were efficient and produced large amounts of inexpensive electricity day in, and day out, then, perhaps they could be justified. However, the truth is the they are there because of a risible dogma that is being driven by the Government.

When the full cost is taken into account they produce very expensive electricity which is heavily subsidised by the consumer, you and me. When there is no wind they produce nothing, when there is too much wind they have to be closed down and in cold weather they have to be stopped to prevent ice being thrown from the blades. And don’t be fooled by figures which show potential output.

In County Durham, the output is around 18 per cent of their potential and, for the foreseeable future, we must rely on electricity from coal, gas and nuclear energy.

Rather than wasting money on wind turbines we must invest in clean coal and nuclear electricity production.

A second nuclear power station at Hartlepool must be the way ahead.

James Cowan, Durham.

I FEEL that Councillor Jones (HAS, April 30) has got it sadly wrong as regards wind farms. They are a blot on our landscape, ugly, noisy, expensive and are subsidised to the hilt.

No wonder so many firms are hopping on the bandwagon, yet nothing is being done about anaerobic plants. They do not need wind, are not an eyesore, blend in with the surroundings and produce power 24/7 and at present not subsidised.

Why are we not investing more in this technology?

Rob Thompson, Bishop Auckland.