EDF Energy Renewables (EDF ER) is to develop a wind farm in Moray, it has been announced.

The Dorenell Wind Farm is located near Dufftown and is one of the largest onshore wind projects to be built in Scotland.

EDF ER will build and develop the scheme alongside renewable energy company Infinergy.

Scottish Ministers granted consent for a 59-turbine wind farm with a capacity of up to 177M in December 2011.

However, due to improvements in turbine technology, applications for a redesign of the current consented project have been submitted to boost the amount of renewable electricity produced from the site.


If successful, the wind farm's installed capacity could be be increased to approximately 200MW and provide enough power for up to 138,000 homes.

Grid connection is scheduled for 2018.

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.

"In taking on the development of the largest planned onshore wind project in Scotland, we intend to boost its output using our world-leading research and development expertise."

(LM/MH)