Norwegian utility Statkraft buys rights to Welsh project

Norwegian utility Statkraft has bought the remaining 50% of shares in development company Catamount Cymru Cyf, which owns the rights to build Blaengwen wind farm in Wales. Statkraft already owned half the business and is buying the rest from US company Catamount Energy Corporation, which was itself recently acquired by American Duke Energy. The 23 MW Blaengwen project will comprise ten Siemens turbines located near Carmarthen in south-west Wales. Construction began in early November, and the wind farm is slated for completion in January 2010. Statkraft aims to be a leading wind power player in Europe, says managing director Eivind Torblaa. The UK enjoys some of the best wind resources in Europe and also has high power prices and favourable framework conditions for renewable energy, he says. "The acquisition in Wales is totally in line with our strategy." Statkraft claims to have a series of projects under development in the UK, including the consented 60 MW Carraig Gheal wind project in Scotland.