Fife’s reputation as one of the sunniest places in Scotland has persuaded a renewable energy firm to progress plans to harness solar power near the Taybridgehead coast.
Green Hedge Renewables is drawing up plans for a 4MW solar farm on land south of Wormit, which it says could provide enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 1,300 homes.
The 11-hectare, 27-acre solar farm is on land north of the B946 near Wormit Plant and quarry.
It could save an estimated 7,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year compared with electricity generated from fossil fuels.
Tom Selway, who runs community affairs at Green Hedge, said: “We are really keen to share these exciting proposals with the local community and will be hosting a public exhibition on April 16 between 3pm and 7pm at Wormit East Hall.
“This would be one of the first solar farms in Scotland.
“Solar technology has come a long way in the last three years and is now a viable source of low carbon energy for Scotland.”
Solar farms have proved popular with farming and wildlife organisations south of the border because of their low profile and because they allow farms to diversify.
“Sheep can continue to graze on the same fields as the solar panels and the land around the site can be used to encourage biodiversity.
Taybridgehead Fife councillor Tim Brett said: “I hope as many people as possible will attend the drop-in session in Wormit on April 16 .”
It recently emerged that a number of renewable energy firms are looking to the region to harness solar power.
In recent weeks tentative inquiries have been made with Fife Council about several potential locations for solar farms.
In addition to Wormit, there have also been inquiries about sites near Crail, Cameron, Tayport and Wormit.
At both Crail and Cameron, early plans show that solar farms could be created with up 22,000 panels each farm capable of powering 1,650 homes.
The firms have yet to submit planning applications but have made pre-application requests for guidance on environmental assessment.
AAH Planning Consultants, which submitted the Crail and Cameron proposals, states that panels at Sypsies and south of Cameron Reservoir would produce “significant sustainable and economic benefits”.
Green Hedge Renewables is interested in land south of Kilmany Road in Wormit.
Fife Council community, developments and investment service manager Alastair Hamilton said the recent submission of pre-application requests for solar farms are indicative of the continuing development of new forms of alternative energy generation.
Any pre-applications for new developments received by Fife Council will be subject to a full assessment.
This will determine areas such as visual, environmental and residential impacts which need to be considered through the full planning process.