PIONEERING proposals to create a £5million solar energy farm in Dunbar could further expand East Lothian's "vital role" as a major contributor to the Scottish Government's vision of 100 per cent renewable electricity.

Hallhill Developments Limited hopes to build a solar energy farm of approximately 12,000 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels - capable of generating up to three megawatts of electricity. The capacity of the proposed site would be enough to power the equivalent of 900 households.

The site, comprising about 21,000 square metres, is on land owned by Hallhill Developments at the rear of the town's Asda supermarket, between the A1 and the east coast railway line with a nearby National Grid connection on site at Spott Road.

Kenneth Ross, agent for Hallhill Developments, explained the solar farm is planned as the first phase of a renewable energy park in Dunbar.

He said: "This is something that came about from the necessity to generate sustainable energy sources in order to meet the Scottish Government's target of 100 per cent of electricity consumption in Scotland from renewable power by 2020 (compared to 20 percent for the rest of the UK).

"At the moment this is a good business as it is absolutely essential that, following the removal of energy sources like nuclear power stations, we create green energy from sustainable sources before the lights go out.

"We considered a number of green energy options for this location and concluded, given East Lothian's sunny micro-climate, a solar energy farm would be the best option and would make this one of the first in Scotland. "These plans would bring state-of-the-art technology to Dunbar to help Scotland meet its green energy targets." Mr Ross added that the exact size of the PV panels had yet to be determined, and would be dependent on which manufacturer supplied the materials.

However, he emphasised that the visual impact of the structures would be "extremely limited".

"There will be maintainance and landscaping around the site so the visual impact will be minimal," he said.

"If the solar farm is successful we are hopeful this would lead to further development and the creation of a renewable energy park in Dunbar that could attract a variety of energy-producing activities." The firm - which is also to build 525 new houses in the Hallhill area of Dunbar as part of a major expansion of the town - hopes to submit a planning application to the local authority in about 12 weeks' time, following a public consultation with residents and community groups.

Mr Ross added: "We will consult the community widely and we will be holding a public exhibition on June 29, between 2 and 7pm, at the Hallhill Healthy Living Centre." Dunbar councillor Paul McLennan, East Lothian Council leader, said he would be "strongly supportive" of the plans if they were they were given the green light by the council planning system.

He told the Courier: "The Scottish Government is still pushing for 100 per cent renewables by 2020 and this would go a long way towards achieving that, as well as creating community benefits such as job opportunities.

"Solar does have a major part to play in the production of renewable energy and it is likely to be less contentious (in East Lothian) than wind energy in terms of the visual impact.

"Dunbar rightly or wrongly has a reputation as being the sunniest place in Scotland and we're very supportive of the Scottish Goverment's renewable energy targets so if we can play a key part in that then that would be fantastic.

Mr McLennan cited the proposed Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm project, which would be located about 10 miles east of Fife Ness and visible from some parts of the county's coast, as a further example of East Lothian's involvement in the country's renewable energy output.

He said: "The crux of the matter is that the success and viability of renewable energy comes down to location and there's no doubt that East Lothian, particularly Dunbar, is seen as one of the sunniest places in Scotland.

"If you also take into account the off-shore wind farm opportunities being explored off the East Lothian coast then it's clear East Lothian is going to contribute quite substantially to the Scottish Government's target.

"There is really an exciting opportunity here for East Lothian to play a vital role in the production of renewable energy." Philip Revell, project coordinator for Sustaining Dunbar, said he believed the community's support should be dependent on the town receiving a percentage of any profits from the solar farm.

"In principle I support renewable energy but there needs to be a clear community benefit," he said.

"It would be crucial that the community is given a share of the profits from any such installation." Western Isles Council last week confirmed an outline of a proposal had been submitted by Surrey-based NGN Telecoms to establish a solar energy farm on Lewis, comprising 25,000 solar panels each measuring almost six feet by three feet and totalling more than 140,000 square feet - or just under 11 acres.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Solar power has a role to play in generating green energy and cutting emissions and Scottish Government support is already helping communities and households reap the benefits.

"While solar farms could make a contribution to renewable electricity targets, it is important they are carefully considered by the planning process."