The windiest industrial estate in Scotland has been identified for the first time as part of a study to map commercial sites' potential for wind energy generation.

The windiest industrial estate in Scotland has been identified for the first time as part of a study to map commercial sites' potential for wind energy generation.

The Mayfield Industrial Estate in Dalkeith, Midlothian, is thought to be the mainland's draughtiest, while more than 740 others have the potential to cut power costs and carbon emissions using renewable technology.

Airborne Energy, which is developing a new type of wind turbine suitable for use in urban locations, collected the data, which is based on UK Government figures.

Neil MacTavish, Business Development Manager at the Midlothian firm, said: "We wanted to see what the scale of the wind resource was in industrial estates, which is precisely the sort of location in which our product would operate best.

"Technically you can find windier places among the islands, like Unst and Yell in Shetland, and on the occasional promontory headland, but if you want to lose your hat in an urban location, Mayfield is the best place to start. It's sited on a hill overlooking the Firth of Forth, and the weather is really noticeable up there."

The data which has been collected can be used to assess the potential for wind energy electricity generation by occupiers of the industrial estates.

Wind turbines are eligible for the UK government's Feed-in-Tariffs which means businesses can earn money from the electricity they generate. Organisations can also receive payments for electricity which is not used and which is exported to the local grid.

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