Fife Council hopes to cash in on the burgeoning renewable energy industry by building its own windfarms.
The local authority has earmarked 15 sites where it could install 16 wind turbines.
Harnessing wind power could net more than £20 million over the next two decades as the region faces a £66m shortfall in its budget.
Some of the income from the energy produced may also be channelled into the surrounding communities.
Detailed feasibility studies are to be conducted at the locations, details of which are yet to be revealed.
Windfarm proposals have proved controversial in Fife in recent years, but council leader Alex Rowley says it is a market the authority should have tapped into some time ago.
He said: “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.”
Suitability of the sites for turbines will be assessed, he added.
“The council will have to adhere to the same processes as everyone else.”
As well as generating income and reducing emissions, the turbines would cut the council’s energy bill, which for 2010/2011 was £22m.
The market is also being tested to gauge interest in working with the council on developing the turbines and the potential for community benefit is being assessed.
Progress is already being made towards building turbines at two other sites.
Planning applications have been submitted for an anemometer mast to gauge wind power at Lower Melville Wood landfill site, where a single turbine is proposed, and for the installation of two turbines at Lochhead landfill site.