Wind farms - The Future Of Energy

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.