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Wind farms - the future of energy or a blot on Scotland's landscape?

11 June 2004

Most people agree that renewable energy is a good thing - but which option is the best? Are wind farms the way forward as energy providers of the future or are they just a blot on the landscape?

BBC Scotland's Louise Batchelor will chair a debate on this issue at Scone Palace, Perth, on 16 June. Louise is a great believer in bringing environmental issues to a wider public audience. She says, "I'm delighted that people will have the opportunity to air their views on this important issue. It's likely to be a very lively event so I hope people will come along to listen and join in. Wind power is becoming an increasingly prominent topic in Scotland so it is a good subject for debate here."

Debating the issue will be:

  • Graham Esson from the Perth & Kinross Council. The Council estimate that Perth and Kinross should provide around 10% of the national target for renewable energy by 2010 so Mr Esson will be giving their views on using wind energy to achieve this.
  • Harry Malyon from the National Wind Power Company, who will describe opportunities and constraints for development of onshore wind energy in Scotland and will set out examples of current projects.
  • Dr Brendan Hamill from Scottish Wind Watch, a campaigning organisation dedicated to halting the development of wind farms on Scotland's wild landscapes.
  • Dr Kevin Anderson from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change, who will give an impartial view on the scientific issues behind using renewable energy and the pros and cons of wind energy in particular.

Further information

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Notes

1. 'On with the Wind?' - a debate to be held on Wednesday 16 June 2004 at Scone Palace, Perth, Scotland. Anyone who wants to attend should register by telephoning 02085427622 or by e-mailing NERC@vistaevents.co.uk.

2. The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is one of the UK's research councils. It uses a budget of about £300m a year to fund and carry out impartial scientific research in the sciences of the environment. NERC trains the next generation of independent environmental scientists. It is addressing some of the key questions facing mankind such as global warming, renewable energy and sustainable economic development.

NERC also has a duty to be accountable to the main funders of science - the tax payers. It is committed to making its work and achievements in environmental science accessible to wide audiences. NERC wants to engage people in debate and dialogue about environmental issues that concern them.

Press release: 15/04

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