AIRVOLUTION Energy have submitted a planning application to Fife Council for two wind turbines just off the M90 at Junction 2a, south of Crossgates, and they want the local business community to take part in the project.

The company is prepared to see a third of the construction phase kept within the local economy if possible.

The Council are now seeking feedback from a range of community groups and organisations on the plans, as well as the views of local residents.

The J2a project, which was submitted to Fife Council in February, is for two 131m turbines and the company estimates these would generate electricity for around 3200 homes.

A public event held in November, at Crossgates Community Centre, saw around 50 people attending to find out more about the scheme and making comment.

Rad HartGeorge, Senior Development Manager for Airvolution, said, “We believe that our project is well suited to the site.

“Our Community Information Day provided us with valuable feedback and we will continue our engagement with the local residents of Crossgates through the next stage of our application.

“We are particularly looking to continue our discussions relating to the community benefit associated with the project, which would generate £23,500 per year for community projects in the Crossgates area or over £587,000 during the project’s 25 year operating period. We would urge anyone who has any questions relating to the project or community benefit to contact us through our website, www.j2awind.co.uk, and there is still an opportunity to comment on the application via Fife Council’s website.” The application is the company’s second project in Fife, as they have consent to build two wind turbines near the Mossmorran Petro-Chemical site.

Airvolution are also appealing for local businesses who could get involved with the construction phase to get in contact, as they are keen to keep as much of the construction spend as local as possible.

This follows the Airvolution making a commitment at their proposed wind farm near Shotts, in North Lanarkshire, to keep 33% of the construction spend within North Lanarkshire, saying they would like to do the same in Fife, if possible.

This is the latest wind turbine project for the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area and if given the go-ahead would bring the operational turbine total up to 15.