I AM writing in response to Mr Leonard's letter (July 21) as one of his single pensioners – definitely poorer as a result of the debacle of Equitable Life and disadvantaged as a result of current low interest rates.

I do not feel that I am suffering as a result of government policies in relation to micro-generation of energy but presented with an opportunity to make a 9% annual return on any investment in either wind or solar power as a result of feed in tariffs.

This rate of return is hardly mind boggling as you suggest, but certainly much better than the measly interest rates on any pensioner investment currently available. Add into this the generous winter warmer payments that I receive as a single and vulnerable pensioner, I hardly think that my choice will be between keeping warm or getting enough to eat this winter.

Think of all the things that we as pensioners will miss when the grid goes down – lighting, heating, hot water, cooking facilities, television, the internet (yes, I am a silver surfer) . . . etc . . . oh, and electric blankets!

If Mr Leonard read the Times article (July 21) on soaring electricity costs he would have noted that out of an annual bill of £1,265 only £101 is attributable to environmental and social obligations costs as imposed by the Coalition Government to assist in achieving their carbon reduction targets and the 30% he refers to is attributable to wholesale market price increases experienced by the 'big six' energy suppliers.

More to the point, I am investing in micro-generation projects because I am concerned that in the near future our power stations will not be able to meet the demand of the public and thereafter we will be faced with periods of enforced blackouts throughout the country and no electricity to light our houses or keep us warm anyway.

Smaller or community wind turbines like the Okehampton College turbines, scattered around the Devon Countryside on and the edge of Dartmoor are preferable to the large commercial wind farms such as Den Brook that he appears to have no knowledge of.

Far from believing that our children will condemn us for desecrating our countryside, I am investing as a pensioner in micro-generation of electricity to sustain my old age and invest in the future for my grandchildren and their children, both of whom are decidedly grateful.

I have candles and oil lamps at the ready having lived through the world war two blackouts and not wishing to repeat the experience. However, in the event of an emergency as a mechanical engineer I have constructed a wood burner for heating (hardly carbon-friendly) to keep me going.

Micheal Highman (aged 79)

Upcott Hill

Okehampton