UPDATE 1-France's EDF launches construction of Scottish windfarm

French power group EDF, which has faced criticism in Britain over cost over-runs at the Hinkley Point C nuclear project, said it would build a new Scottish windfarm. State-controlled EDF said it would start construction of the 450 megawatts offshore Neart na Gaoithe wind farm in the North Sea, off the coast of Fife.

The wind farm, in which Irish power firm ESB will take a 50% stake, would be commissioned in 2023. EDF, which said it had raised $2 billion via the debt markets, said the offshore wind farm would be its largest in Britain to date

Once operational, EDF said the windfarm would generate enough electricity to power more than 375,000 households each year, or 4% of Scotland's electricity consumption.