Norway Statkraft buys UK wind farm developer

OSLO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Norway's state-owned utility Statkraft bought the 50 percent it did not own in a developer of a Wales wind farm expected to produce 65 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, it said on Wednesday.

Statkraft did not to disclose the value of the purchase of Catamount Cymru Cyf, which has the rights to build and operate the Blaengwen wind farm expected to provide power to 16,000 households.

It bought the stake from Catamount Energy Corporation, a unit of U.S. power producer Duke Energy (DUK.N).

"This acquisition will be favourable for the financing of the project and it will also grant us full control of construction and operation," spokesman Torbjoern Steen said.

"It also increases the generation capacity which we can trade and sell in the UK market," he added.

The Blaengwem wind farm, due to start operation in January 2010, is a joint venture between Catamount and Force 9 Energy.

Asked if Statkraft would make further wind acquisitions in Britain, Steen told Reuters: "Yes, we have high ambitions in the wind power area, and the UK is of course one of our target markets for expansion."

Statkraft has a number of wind projects under development in Britain, drawn by its ample wind resources and favourable framework conditions, Steen said.

Last summer it was awarded consent for the construction of Carraig Gheal wind farm in Scotland, with a capacity of 60 MW.

In Norway, Statkraft is known more for its hydropower resources but also owns wind farms at Smoela, Hitra and Kjoellefjord as well as other wind projects under development. (Reporting by Wojciech Moskwa)