FMC Technologies opened a 1.5-megawatt wind turbine at its Dunfermline plant on Wednesday.
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.”