Eigg on their faces

The Isle of Eigg has won all sorts of praise and awards amounting to hundreds of thousands of pounds for its go-ahead "green" approach to its electricity supply. According to the BBC, the island's 95 inhabitants "champion" renewable energy production with all manner of wind turbines micro-hydroelectrics, and solar panels (in Scotland?!?).

The thing is, all this sustainable energy isn't sustaining itself. Despite servicing less than a hundred people, the island is still utterly dependent on backup diesel generators and a light rainfall this year means that the Eiggians can't even run their toasters.

This is a shame, because electricity for the Hebrides is a serious problem and not a "green" rathole to pour down money that the country doesn't have and never should waste on such follies. Still, there is one silver lining. At least the Isle of Eigg can stand as a warning example of what the Greens intend to inflict on the rest of us, though not themselves.

Now, if you will excuse me, my toast is getting cold.