The UK city of Peterborough is working towards being energy self-sufficient by 2020.
The civic leaders of the city want to create three renewable energy parks, which would harness wind and solar energy on farmlands owned by City Council at Newborough Farm, America Farm and Morris Fen, Peterbourgh Today reported.
The plans have met opposition by 22 farmers who work on the same land.
Council leader Councillor Marco Cereste said, 'We are entirely sympathetic to the farmers and will do whatever we can to help.
'But this is for the greater good. The aim is to make Peterborough entirely self-sufficient in energy. We will be the first city in the UK to do this.
'We want to counter rising energy costs for homes and businesses and to ensure the security of energy supplies for the city. You never know when someone will turn off the tap.'
The planning is very much in the early stages with feasibility studies needed. Officials have estimated the farms will generate between 40MW and 106MW with installation costs varying between £198m to £288.9m.
Funding would be sourced from government grants and the private sector.
Cereste added, 'This scheme would generate a long-term net income to the council over 20 years of between £90m and £137m.
'Not only would the council produce the power but we could even own the grid in Peterborough and be responsible for delivering energy to homes and business at a discount.'