Farmers are being urged to make their own electricity by installing a personal wind turbine.

They have been told they have a great un-tapped asset in the wind, and they should make use of it.

The cost of installing a turbine is about £45,000 and Advantage West Midlands is tempting farmers with the offer of 40 per cent, about £15,000, towards it.

It is claimed they could save £3,000 a year on electricity costs and the outlay on the turbine could be paid back in five to six years.

UK renewable energy expert Segan is offering a suitable turbine because of a new grant scheme for farmers and rural micro businesses.

Funding comes from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development with match-funding from the UK government.

The Rural Enterprise Grant is being managed by Advantage West Midlands.

It has a budget of around £35 million to spend until 2012.

Rob Such, Segan’s operations director, said: “Regional grants now mean that a small turbine on a good farm site can pay for itself within five to six years.’’ Segan is offering installation packages, including site survey, feasibility study, system design, installation, planning, finance, export power sale agreement and grant application assistance.

The cost figures quoted are exclusive of VAT and do not include the cost of finance.