There was a mixed response to St Andrews University proposals for an East Neuk wind farm at a public meeting.
A large crowd packed the Kingsbarns Memorial Hall to learn more about the university’s intention to put up turbines on land it owns at Upper Kenly Farm, near Boarhills.
Two preferred options have now been identified the first for six, 100-metre high, 6.2mw turbines and the second for four, 125-metre high, 3mw turbines.
It is said each would generate the equivalent of the power used by 6000 average homes.
University estates director John Maguire and environment and energy manager Roddy Yarr made presentations which stressed that engaging residents is vital.
“We now have an idea of how it could look and what we want to do,” said Mr Maguire.
Since 2005 the university has considered the feasibility of a wind farm to help meet its power needs and generate an income for the nearby community.
It has been in discussion with community councillors and landowners for the last two-and-a-half years and in September put up an anemometer mast to measure wind speed.
Despite energy consumption levels at the institution increasing only slightly since 2004, it has endured a sharp rise in electricity and gas costs from £1.3 million to £5.4 million.
This rise, described as a “major financial risk,” is something that the university says it needs to address.
University factor Derek Watson, who was not at the meeting, said, “It is a significant cost and we need to take action to control it.
“If we don’t, it effectively undermines what we are trying to do as a business.”
The wind farm is to feed electricity through underground cables into the National Grid, generating a substantial income for the university.
A figure has not been given on how much this would be but Mr Maguire did say each turbine is expected to raise over £50,000 per year.Invested into communitiesOf this, around 6% could be invested into communities to fund projects through an independent Community Trust Fund.
Mr Yarr said, “A fund similar to this is already running in the west of Scotland, where every member of a village was able to join that community fund for a pound and that was the sum total of their liability.”
Some of those at the meeting raised concern that houses near the proposed site would not enjoy these financial benefits as they are not strongly connected to any one community.
In response, the university representatives said they would look into this.
The proposal has split public opinion, with those in favour arguing the money raised would help the university continue to deliver its first-class education services.
However, some residents voiced a number of concerns at the plans, among them being that the development would create a blight on the landscape, lower house prices and even impact on people’s health.
Unable to answer all of these points, the university speakers highlighted five key issues still be thoroughly investigated.
They are: the ecology of the area, the possible impact on aviation and radar for nearby RAF Leuchars, health and well being of residents, how it would impact on economy and tourism, and what visual impact the proposals would have.