SIR — Your front page report on the proposed further desecration of our glorious countryside (Free Press August 9) is yet another example of money for old rope under the guise of providing beneficial electricity.

The massive returns on the investment will be guaranteed by government and passed on for payment through our ever-increasing electric bills Thus the poor will end up funding these eye-watering returns.

I support my assertions by quoting from TGC"s own website: "Where farmers and landowners have land suitable for the development of a renewable energy project, we offer secure land rental income that is significantly higher than the national average pasture rental prices . . . You will receive income for 25 years or more for solar projects and we cover all legal costs so there is no risk to you." That says it all.

Windmills and panels do not produce their "rated" energy, far from it. This failure is now recognised by the government, which is committing billlions of pounds overseeing the import of huge dirty diesel generators from abroad to provide back up generation.

They are so concerned to avoid power cuts they are giving even higher returns than for panels. They call it Operation STOR.

Guess who is going to pay for all that?

I do hope that the local community will impress upon the land owners and highly paid helpers that this project is anti-social and not wanted.

Finally, please remember that all this kit does not create beneficial energy as it is manufactured abroad, transported here and paid for in foreign currency, thus worsening our balance of payments problems, resulting in even more expensive electricity.

If we continue along this ludicrous route, how can we get out of our economic mess ?

We won't, and the poor will remain poor and the rest of us will probably join them.

Brian Lloyd,

Bicknoller.