Around �4m of community investment is offered

The hills surrounding the community of Cwmtillery in Blaenau Gwent have been earmarked for the project, which could power 25,000 homes.

The proposals for 20 to 30 generators, each 300ft high, on the hills surrounding the Blaenau Gwent community of Cwmtillery came as a surprise to people living locally, who initially planned to object.

But they admit that an offer from the construction company Pennant Wind Energy Ventures Ltd of �4m for community spending over the next 20 years would be tempting.

The company wants to build Pendragon Wind Farm on parts of the mountains between Blaina and Blaenavon.

Managing director Dale Hart said: "We propose to share the benefits of this project with local people.

"From the income we receive by producing and selling electricity, we will give at least �150,000 and up to �200,000 each year, for 20 years, as a 'green dividend' to support local projects.

The visual apperance needs to be balanced with the provision of locally generated, carbon-free electricity for somewhere between 10 and 20,000 people Friends of the Earth Cymru

"This potential �4m of community benefit could become �8m if we are able to identify suitable projects that could qualify for match funding by public bodies."

Mr Hart claimed that this was a much higher level of community benefit than had ever been offered by any other wind development in the UK.

He said the company would be asking members of the local communities and local organisations for their views on the project.

"We will soon be distributing leaflets to all households in the wards of Brynmawr, Blaina, Nantyglo, Cwmtillery, Abertillery, Six Bells and Llanhilleth, asking local people how the green dividend may best be used for community benefits," he said.

Examples of how the money could be spent included new nature reserves and birdwatching facilities, as well as improved footpaths, walkways and cycle routes through the Ebbw Fach.

There are plans to install up to 30 turbines

The company behind the project claims that the site - on Mynydd James, Cefn Coch and Coity mountains - could easily accommodate the proposed 20-30 turbines of just under 100 metres in height.

The area was chosen because it was a good distance away from homes.

The company said it would take all reasonable measures to minimise the visual impact and there would be no need for new electricity pylons.

An environmental study is being completed and plans will be submitted to Blaenau Gwent County Council.

The aim is that the windfarm should be operating by 2004.

'Highly-populated'

A public exhibition of the proposal would be held after a planning application is made.

Green campaigners have called for a fair and informed debate over the proposals.

"A large, possibly 30 megawatt, windfarm on this particular site on hills not far from two highly-populated valleys may be relatively more visible than other schemes," said Neil Crumpton, energy spokesperson for Friends of the Earth Cymru.

"Yet the visual apperance needs to be balanced with the provision of locally generated, carbon-free electricity for somewhere between 10 and 20,000 people.

"Reducing carbon emissions is vital to minimise the increasing human cost of global warming, be it due to forest fires, floods or droughts which will get progressively much worse in the coming decades."