Glasgow City Council has announced ambitious plans to build the city’s first wind farm.
Five turbines, each 125 metres tall, with rotors extending 35m, would be used to power all traffic and street lights in the city.
The development would generate savings of around £3m a year, which the council would plough back into the community, and reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
If the move is supported, the city would be the first in the UK to produce its own power.
It would also lead to a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases through a decrease in the use of the council’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Cutting carbon emissions by 20% over the next five years is a key priority for the Council.
The authority recently announced plans to introduce a programme of energy efficiency measures aimed at creating a 10% reduction in consumption by 2008-09.
This new proposal to use renewable energy to power the city’s 67,000 street lights and 500 sets of traffic lights is seen as a major step towards making Glasgow a green city.
The lifespan of a wind turbine is about 20 years.
Your Opinion
The Council is keen to hear what the people of Glasgow think about the principle of the authority having its own wind farm, and ideas for possible locations.
Any sites considered must first have a suitable wind resource and adequate access to the National Grid. Other issues which would have to be taken into consideration include site ownership, and environmental and aviation factors.
To send your views contact Land and Environmental Services on 0141 287 9000 or email les@glasgow.gov.uk.