EDF Energy Renewables (EDF ER) has selected Wind Towers Scotland to supply turbine towers for its onshore wind farm projects in the UK.

The Argyll and Bute-based firm signed the five-year agreement with Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 23 March.

The company has already won an order to supply towers for EDF ER's Beck Burn wind farm near Carlisle.

The project involves nine turbines being erected at the site which can produce up to 31MW of electricity, enough to power around 17,000 homes.

Minister Ewing said: "The skills and experiences within the Scottish supply chain is something that I have been a champion of for a number of years, so the signing of this five-year agreement is excellent news and shows a real commitment by EDF ER.


"From this initial order, I'm confident that EDF ER's partnership with Wind Towers Scotland will flourish in the coming years and benefit all concerned."

Matthieu Hue, CEO, EDF Energy Renewables, added: "We have a large wind portfolio in Scotland including a large pipeline of projects in development.

"Our strategy has always been to focus on supporting local economic growth and to use local companies where practical to support the construction and operation of our UK based wind farms.

"As Wind Towers is at the forefront of wind tower manufacturing in the UK and has a modern factory in Campbeltown, I am delighted that EDF ER and Wind Towers are establishing such a strong partnership."

Alasdair Gammack, Business Development Manager for Wind Towers Scotland, said: "This is an important deal for us. EDF ER's commitment is very welcome as we strengthen our position as the UK's only large scale wind tower manufacturer for onshore and now offshore."

(LM/JP)