THE 100-metres-tall wind turbine at Technip FMC’s site in Dunfermline has now been operational for 10 years – and that’s tree-mendous news for the environment. 

It first began generating power at the Pitreavie site on November 26, 2011, and has supplied the equivalent of more than three years of power to the plant. 

Scott McLean, site facilities and maintenance manager, said: “It’s actually provided the site with approximately 30 per cent of our power over the past decade and, since July 2020, all the electricity we use on-site now comes from renewable sources.”

On average each year, the turbine has generated enough electricity to supply 857 homes. 

And to celebrate its 10th birthday, the Dunfermline team are having 8,570 trees planted to support the environment and the local community.

The 1.5 megawatt turbine is taller than the Wallace Monument, visible from miles away and its blades catch the wind that blows over Fife. 

Scott added: “Other businesses get in touch with me regularly to ask about the turbine and its benefits. 

“It was the first in the area and we have seen a genuine benefit from its presence both financially and environmentally.”

He said the trees planted would sequester 2,625 tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of driving more than 6.4 million miles in a standard car.