EDF Energy Renewables is taking the reins at the construction-ready and potentially up to 198MW Dorenell wind farm in the northeast of Scotland.
The wind farm was originally developed by Infinergy and holds a Contract for Difference from the UK government with delivery due 2018-19 at a bid price of £82.50 per megawatt-hour.
“EDF will develop and construct the project working with the renewable energy company Infinergy,” said the companies.
“Grid connection is planned for 2018. Over the coming years EDF Energy Renewables will continue, with the support of Infinergy, to develop the project and progress its construction as soon as possible,” they added.
EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said: “Today’s announcement, just weeks before the international conference on climate change in Paris, confirms EDF Energy’s commitment to lead in UK investment in low carbon electricity. That means investment in wind and nuclear electricity generation with an increasing focus on the development of Scottish renewables.”
He added: “In taking on the development of one of the largest planned onshore wind projects in Scotland, we intend to boost its output using our world-leading research and development expertise.”
Dorenell, which will be built in the heart of whisky country near Dufftown in Moray, was consented in 2011 as a 177MW project featuring 59 turbines of 3MW each. The original developer is awaiting ministerial consent for a revised 60-unit layout featuring up to 3.3MW hardware.
Infinergy managing director Esbjorn Wilmar said: “Our focus now is on bringing new technology through the planning process to make Dorenell the best wind farm it can be, maximising output at the site which will make an extremely important contribution to the renewable energy targets set by the Scottish government as part of policy to ensure greater diversity and security of electricity supplies.”
Image: EDF’s operational Fallago Rig in Scotland (EDF)
