AT a height of 125m it is one of the tallest structures in Glasgow.

The £5million wind turbine at the top of Cathkin Braes – one of the highest points in Glasgow – has now been formally unveiled.

The massive structure is sited at the first tricky section of the new mountain bike track being built for next year's Commonwealth Games.

As a result, it will provide a stunning image for the 1billion people who will watch the Games on televisions around the world.

The turbine is a joint venture between Glasgow City Council and Games sponsor SSE, formerly known as Scottish and Southern Energy.

Work on constructing the massive structure took a crew of 80 people around 18 weeks to complete.

The turbine, which measures 90m across the blades, creates enough energy to power 20% of the city's 72,000 street lights.

Power it generates is being sold to the National Grid, earning cash for the council and SSE, and a community benefit clause in the contract means groups in Castlemilk and Carmunn-och will get £500,000 over the 25-year lifespan of the turbine, with most being paid out in the next five years.

The project forms part of the city's bid to be named European Green Capital in 2015, with finalists facing the judges tomorrow. Bid champion, councillor Liz Cameron said: "It is essential environmental improve-ments also deliver economic and social improvements."

Calum Wilson, SSE director of development in Scotland, said: "The turbine at Cathkin is a new landmark for the city."

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk