Wind energy accounts for the bulk of EDF Energies Nouvelles’ (EDF EN) installed capacity, and the company has said that, at the end of 2006, the net capacity stood at 607MW, up 34.6% compared to the end of 2005.
Paris Mouratoglou, chairman of the board of directors of EDF EN, commented: We are very pleased with our results for the 2006 financial year. In a supportive regulatory environment, EDF EN continued to deliver growth in line with its strategic plan to achieve 3,000MW in net installed capacity by year-end 2011.
EDF EN also revealed that it is to move into the biofuel segment through a preliminary agreement with Belgium-based ethanol distributor Alcofinance. Upon completion of a reserved issue of shares for E23 million, EDF EN will own 25% of a newly formed company housing Alcofinance’s ethanol production and distribution activities.
EDF EN commented that this is in line with the company’s strategy of expanding into new energy segments and investing in regulated high-growth markets. The company said that the investment opens up opportunities in second-generation biofuels, which are highly efficient from an environmental perspective.
EDF EN has revealed that the partnership’s first move will be the construction of an initial ethanol fuel manufacturing facility in Gent, Belgium, which is expected to enter service in 2008. The project will have a production capacity of 150,000 cubic meters per year and will qualify for a tax exemption under the Belgian quota system, covering a volume of 90,000 cubic meters.
EDF EN added that, once the final agreement is signed during the first half of 2007, the company will have all the various applications of biomass covered; namely electricity generation, heat production and biofuels.
