Windfarm developments are back on the horizon for Angus communities, stretching from the Dundee border to the edge of the glens.
Residents who live around the largest windfarm yet proposed for the district, on an estate near Brechin, could be given part-ownership, it has emerged.
At the same time, Sidlaws residents have rallied in a new fight against a scheme already refused by planners.
Last year, Eurowind submitted a planning application to the Scottish Government for a 17-turbine windfarm, totalling 61MW and with turbines of up to 439ft in height on the Careston Estate, near Brechin.
And it is asking the people who surround the proposed scheme whether they want to become part-owners should planning consent be granted next year.
A public consultation has been launched over the prospect of a “joint venture”, where a community body would own a share in the project, equivalent to one of the 3.6MW turbines.
Eurowind director Ian Lindsay said: “We have already had discussions with surrounding communities about a benefit fund but we think the option of buying directly into the project could be a lot more meaningful than a handout.
“The Scottish Government wants to see communities sharing directly in the ownership of windfarms with developers and there are programmes and finance to support communities who want to take this step.”
The consultation paper points to the community of Fintry in Stirlingshire, where an agreement to help Fintry Development Trust buy into their local windfarm has been “transformative”.
Fintry Development Trust has used the production profits from their share of the Earlsburn Windfarm to set up a community car club, provide energy grants to homes and community groups, create new woodlands and orchards and establish a community wood fuel supply project.
Mr Lindsay added: “We will take our lead from responses to this consultation.
“If there is interest in negotiating a joint venture then we are prepared to respond to that. However, the benefit fund remains on the table still as an option.
“We want to establish long-term partnerships with communities in Scotland as we have already achieved across Europe.
“A joint venture would be a natural step for us in Angus.”
The consultation paper is available to download from the project website www.nathrohillwindfarm.co.uk with responses due back by December 6.
Meanwhile, two community councils have urged government planning officials to refuse permission for a windfarm a few miles north of Dundee.
West Coast Energy wants to build five turbines, each up to 400ft high, along south-facing slopes of the ridge along Lorns Hill and Dodd Hill, which lie east of the A90 opposite Tealing.