FMC Technologies opens 100m Dunfermline wind turbine — and changes the skyline
FMC Technologies opened a 1.5-megawatt wind turbine at its Dunfermline plant on Wednesday.
Triodos Bank operations director Matthew Clayton, chief operating officer Frances Karki and Subsea eastern region general manager Rasmus Sunde with the 100m turbine.
- By Leeza Clark
- Published in the Courier : 08.12.11
- Published online : 08.12.11 @ 04.19pm
The company hopes the turbine will supply nearly half the electricity needs of its Pitreavie base.
Together with the Goliath crane being used on the navy's aircraft carriers contract at neighbouring Rosyth, the turbine has changed the skyline of south-west Fife.
For FMC, which is involved in the design and manufacture of equipment used in the subsea oil and gas industry, this environmental project is a first.
As a sign of the significance placed on renewable energy projects in Scotland, the opening was witnessed by Fife Council and Green Business Fife members.
Completion systems manager Dan Neelon said: ''Reaching the end of any project is rewarding but knowing that the benefits from the installation of the wind turbine will provide a greener future for the community — which FMC is an integral part of — is even more exciting.''
It is estimated the turbine could cut carbon emissions by over 2,000 tonnes per annum.
'Clear opportunity'
Installing the 100-metre turbine was completed last month following a four-year project with energy specialist Wind Direct.
In addition to taking the project through planning, Wind Direct carried out the engineering and construction of the project and organised funding through Triodos Bank, giving Triodos Renewables ownership.
Wind Direct will now operate the turbine on behalf of Triodos.
Wind Direct chief operation officer Frances Karki added: ''On-site generation from wind energy represents a clear opportunity for manufacturers to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions and it has been a real pleasure to work with FMC technologies in their drive to mitigate both of these issues.
''This is the first Wind Direct project to use an Acciona wind turbine and the first to be financed by Triodos Renewables and we look forward to working with both parties again.''
Triodos Renewables operations director Matthew Clayton added: ''On a brownfield site, and supplying energy directly to FMC, it is a powerful example of how industry can use renewables to work towards a long-term sustainable future.''
04.37pm - 08.12.2011 oh dear - Dunfermline, UK Report This
Shame to have this so close to the town centre. And it will only produce up to 40% of the sites power demands and save 2 ktes of CO2? It would have been better to build a larger unit in an out of town wind farm. Until recently I was planning to buy a house in Pitcorthie - not anymore I'm not!
12.38am - 09.12.2011 Eoin Ryan - Glenrothes, Scotland Report This
'Oh Dear' without wind and other renewable turbines we will be burning coal and Gas and oil..... Or using the expensive nuclear..... Longannet, The Forth Bridge, a three bed semi, they are hardly 'natural' structures... There is beauty in these turbines.
08.47am - 09.12.2011 Nick - Cupar, UK Report This
Another government sponsored rip off for consumers!
01.30pm - 09.12.2011 Fraz - Dunfermline, Scotland Report This
This thing can be seen for miles around, coming into Dunfermline from Rosyth and from anywhere at or above the level of townhill road - a complete blight on the landscape and a totally inappropriate use given the nearby residential area - the planners should hang their heads in collective shame!
11.06am - 10.12.2011 - - Dunfermline, Scotland Report This
Right next to residential streets is not the place for this. Wind energy needs to be harnessed but this is definitely the wrong location.
12.02pm - 10.12.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Have to agree with Eoin, turbines are the most attractive energy structures. Power stations are hardly pretty or unobtrusive while shale gas sites are hideous and toxic. People have to decide whether they want energy to be secure, attractive and domestic or insecure, ugly and foreign sourced.
02.03pm - 11.12.2011 Adrian Coppola - Dunfermline, Fife Report This
Ghastly ugly contraption - how did they get planning permission for this pointless monstrosity. Wind power is a waste of time and a blight on the landscape.
11.14pm - 12.12.2011 oh dear - Dunfermline, UK Report This
Eoin/Stuart - completely agree that renewables are key. But a larger (and more efficent) turbine could have been built out of town as part of a larger project that would cover all of FMCs needs and offset proportionally more CO2.
12.06am - 13.12.2011 oh dear - Dunfermline, UK Report This
Also, these are fairly early days of wind power - I'm not convinced FMC (subsea specialist), Fife Council or the bank that actually own the turbine fully understand the hazards. Just look at the two turbine incidents during the recent storms. One fell over and the lube-oil on another one caught fire
09.33am - 15.12.2011 Dr John Cameron - St Andrews, UK Report This
Today's turbines are first generation technology which will soon be obsolete and left as hideous reminders of our recklessness. More effective and less intrusive technologies are on the way but the door will be closed to them if we continue to ‘bet the house’ on wind.
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