EDF snaps up controversial wind farm

EDF Energy has grabbed itself a larger slice of the Scottish renewable energy market after snapping up the operator of a controversial wind farm development in the Borders.

The French power company remained tight-lipped last night about how much it had paid for Edinburgh-based North British Windpower, which is owned by 15 shareholders, according to documents filed at Companies House.

The two firms had been developing the 48-turbine Fallago Rig wind farm, which is being built in the Lammermuir Hills on land owned by the Duke of Roxburghe near Lauder.

Planning permission was granted in November 2010 following two public inquiries and objections from campaigners including botanist David Bellamy. Christian Egal, chief executive of EDF Energy Renewables, said: “Investments in Scotland form a key part of our growth plans.”

Trevor Ingle, a partner at law firm Squire Sanders, which advised North British Windpower’s shareholders, said: “Fallago Rig is a major project, which is expected to bring renewable energy to more than 90,000 Scottish households.”