Statkraft starts work at Scottish wind farm using Enercon wind turbines

Statkraft has started construction work on a 66.7MW onshore wind farm in the Scottish Highlands, further strengthening the Norwegian company’s position in the UK’s renewables market.

The company confirmed the Berry Burn Wind Farm, 30 kilometres east of Inverness, will use 29 wind turbines provided by Enercon.

The project is expected to be completed in early 2014, creating up to 50 jobs during construction.

Statkraft’s total investment during construction is expected to reach £70m, part of which will go into a community benefits fund for the local area.

Berry Burn will be Statkraft’s second onshore wind farm in the UK once complete, and forms part of the company’s ambition to grow its presence in the UK.

Last month, Statkraft unveiled plans in new UK wind farm projects, while also launching an equity scheme that could boost its ability to sell clean power direct to corporate customers.

The company plans to take a minority stake in a series of smaller wind energy projects that are currently struggling to secure financing, via debt funding secured through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with large clients.

The company also has a significant role in the UK’s offshore wind energy market, having built the Sheringham Shoal wind farm alongside Statoil, and recently acquired Dudgeon wind project.

Statkraft has also been granted a licence to develop Europe’s largest offshore wind farm zone on Dogger Bank as part of the Forewind Consortium.