The Edinburgh architects, RMJM have announced proposals to build a £21.5m eco-tower on land currently being used as a scrap yard, west of Granton Harbour, Edinburgh.

The building, which will comprise two 85-metre high residential blocks with some 45 wind turbines slung between the towers, is expected to be virtually self-sufficient in energy and provide residents with low cost electricity. The architects are confident the turbines would produce so little noise they would not disturb residents.

Excess electrical power would be sold to the national grid, while power would be supplied from the grid when the wind speed falls.

The development firm is expected to look for a house builder to join it in a partnership to build the tower.

RMJM director Tony Kettle, who has developed the designs for the building, said: "Edinburgh is a beautiful city with many historical landmark structures of significant scale."

"In the redevelopment of the waterfront there is the potential to create new structures which say something about the culture of our generation."

"Our concept for a sustainable tower, which uses renewable energy, expresses just that and is a clear signal for the future."

The project is to be the centrepiece of the Waterfront Edinburgh development that plans to turn brownfield land into an upbeat part of the city over the next several years. The project reuses 346 acres of derelict industrial land on the shore of the Firth of Forth from Granton Harbour to the west, taking in a large area of old gas works.

The redevelopment will also create:

• a 650 berth marina and canal
• a World Trade Centre (Feasibility Study commenced)
• a campus for Telford College
• a leisure centre
• a primary school
• 6,500 homes
• cafes, shops, restaurants
• offices
• industry