With the certainty of a General Election next year, Pembrokeshire South East Energy Group will give members and friends the opportunity to probe the policies of the major political parties with regard to the challenges posed by global warming and climate change.

The country is entitled to know how they intend to respond to the clearly expressed views of over 90 per cent of the world's top scientists.

It was confirmed at PSEEG's last meeting in September that all four prospective parliamentary candidates for the Carmarthen West and Pembrokeshire South constituency had agreed to take part in a Question Time event on January 29, 2010, at the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot.

Nick Ainger MP (Labour), John Dixon (Plaid Cymru), John Gossage (Liberal Democrat) and Simon Hart (Conservative) will each have the opportunity to convince the audience that their Party has the right answer to these fundamental questions.

The meeting had previously been fascinated by a talk given by local renewable energy expert, Nick Dorrell.

Nick outlined his long experience in the installation of domestic wind turbines. Generally he dealt with machines of up to 11kw. He explained that the siting of the turbine was critical, with average wind speeds of at least five to five-and-a-half metres per second being the minimum required. One make he particularly recommended cost approximately £45,000, but could generate an income of £9,000 per year; hence paying off its purchase and installation costs within five years.

Nick went on to explain that he was expanding his business and with his business partner, Paul Bromley, was now able to offer a wider range of micro-generation products, including photovoltaic cells, solar water heating, heat pumps and biomass boilers. All these products were now significantly more attractive financially with the much more generous feed-in-tariff due to be paid from April 1, 2010. A huge increase in demand was anticipated.

The chair thanked Nick for a most interesting and informative presentation.

The meeting continued with news that dates had been confirmed for the interview and appointment of consultants to undertake the energy survey of South East Pembrokeshire. The members agreed that the officers should represent the group at these meetings.

More information on this would be available at the next meeting, which will take place at the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, at 7 pm, on Thursday, October 22, when the speaker will be Jo Horsely, of Environment Wales.

Jo will address the meeting on the topic of small scale environmentally friendly and sustainable projects.

The title of her talk will be 'Grass Roots Environmental Projects in Wales'. All members of the public are cordially invited to attend.