Fife Council intends to take advantage of the lucrative renewable energy industry, with plans to build its own wind farms.

The Courier has reported how the Council has designated 15 sites where 16 wind turbines could be installed.

The £20m which would be generated over the next two decades could go some way towards the Council’s £66m budget shortfall.

Windfarm proposals have provoked controversy in Fife in recent years, but council leader Alex Rowley says the Council should have begun taking advantage of the sector a long time ago.

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He told the Couier: "We believe there was a missed opportunity for the Council to get involved in developing and operating these structures, either in partnership with operators or directly itself.

"The profits involved in this type of technology are large and so far the level of community benefit is low. The Council should have been on the ball with this a long time ago.

"Our view is the Council should be looking at operating these turbines as part of our renewable energy strategy, as well as looking at what other opportunities there are in terms of renewable energy."

The turbines would go some way to cutting the Council’s energy bill, which for 2010/2011 was £22m.

Planning applications have been submitted for an anemometer mast to gauge wind power at Lower Melville Wood landfill site for a single turbine, while two turbines are planned for Lochhead landfill site.

(IT/GK)