Energy companies are hoping to build wind farms on the Scottish island of Lewis, potentially transforming the area into the world's largest wind power source.

Lewis is part of Scotland's Outer Hebrides island chain.

Officials from British Energy and energy group AMEC say that making use of wind - the island's biggest natural resource - can generate more than 1,000 megawatts of electricity.

That's equivalent to the energy from two nuclear power stations.

If the plan goes through, the largest wind farm of the three will be built along the North Lewis moor.

That wind farm will contain 190 turbines (those futuristic-looking windmills) each 140 metres tall.

The path the turbine blades will cut through the air will be greater than the wingspan of a jumbo jet.

Lewis council officials say these turbines can generate cleaner, greener alternatives to fossil fuels, not to mention a profitable new industry.

Even though council officials claim that this is good for Lewis' economy, residents are disagreeing.

Lewis residents say that the construction will destroy one of the largest peatland environments left on the continent.

According to UK law, the rich, dark soil is not to be touched, but council officials plan to build roads and foundations into the peat, spanning 167 kilometres.

Right now, 130 wind farms in the UK provide energy for one million British homes.