
Once constructed, Dorenell Wind Farm in Scotland could produce enough electricity for up to 138,000 homes.
EDF Energy Renewables (EDF) is taking on the development of the Dorenell Wind Farm, which is one of the largest onshore wind projects planned for construction in Scotland. EDF will develop and build the project, and will work with wind development company Infinergy.
The site near Dufftown in Moray was developed by Infinergy and consent for a 59-turbine wind farm with a capacity of up to 177 MW was granted by Scottish Ministers back in December 2011.
Following improvements in the latest available turbine technology, applications for a re-design of the currently consented project were submitted to boost to the amount of renewable electricity produced from the site. If successful this would see the wind farm’s installed capacity increased to approximately 200 MW.
Once built, Dorenell could produce enough electricity for up to 138,000 homes. Grid connection is planned for 2018. Over the coming years, EDF Energy Renewables, with the support of Infinergy, will continue to develop the project and progress its construction as soon as possible.
“[This] announcement, just weeks before the EWEA 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,” said EDF Chief Executive, Vincent de Rivaz.
“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,” he continued. “This expertise is dedicated to building a low carbon future in the UK and covers activities from electricity generation to energy efficiency in customers’ homes and workplaces.”
EDF Energy Renewables is a joint venture between EDF Energy and EDF Energies Nouvelles, the renewable arm of the EDF Group.
Antoine Cahuzac, CEO of EDF Energies Nouvelles said: “This deal underlines EDF Energies Nouvelles’ continuing ambitions to develop our business in Scotland and our major ambition in renewable energy.
“With around 700 MW of wind projects in construction and operation in the UK as well as a large portfolio in development, EDF Energy Renewables is keen to work with Infinergy to start the building of this great project and progress the planning applications.”
Infinergy’s Managing Director Esbjorn Wilmar said: “After almost 10 years developing this site and securing planning consent for the existing 177 MW project, 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.”
EDF recognizes the importance of this project locally and will honor the commitments that have been made by Infinergy throughout the years that Dorenell Wind Farm has been in development, which include a Community Benefit package worth nearly £1m a year.
EDF Energy Renewables
www.edf-er.com
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