ALAN NEALE (Echo, July 29) states that there is no evidence whatsoever that wind farms increase CO2 and that this assertion comes from Poole and Christchurch Bays’ Association’s submission to the examination.

Indeed it does, and I produced and presented the evidence.

It is based on several years of research into emissions averted by wind farms, their carbon footprint and their impact on the operational efficiency of back-up power stations needed to maintain grid stability.

Taken together, these three factors mean that wind farms may increase CO2 emissions.

The developer did not refute my evidence and despite a promise given at the examination, did not produce his own evidence.

He continued to assert that Navitus Bay would reduce CO2 emissions and to use an incorrect displacement factor, not recommended by the government. I was the only person presenting evidence concerning the impact of Navitus Bay on CO2 emissions.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has confirmed to me that they have never examined this impact! The government is saying that the wind industry has been promoted and subsidised by governments for over 20 years on the assumption of greatly reduced CO2 emissions, without any evidence in support of that assumption.

No wonder there are concerns that the lights may go out when renewable energy policy has been based on a false assumption, rather than engineering principles and evidence.

DR PHILLIP BRATBY

Retired energy consultant, Devon