20.08.2019 - Axpo continues to consistently implement its strategy goal to realise higher earnings from the renewable energies business: Four newly developed wind farms from the extensive portfolio belonging to the subsidiary Volkswind GmbH in France will become the property of EB Erneuerbare Energien Fonds Europa. In addition, the purchase agreement stipulates that Volkswind will continue to be responsible for operational management of these wind farms in the future.
EB Erneuerbare Energien Fonds Europa is a fund of EB – Sustainable Investment Management GmbH (EB-SIM), a subsidiary company of Evangelische Bank (EB), one of Germany's leading ethical ecclesiastical banks. The finalised transaction with EB-SIM is part of Axpo's profitable growth strategy in the area of wind energy. The 36 wind power plants with high-quality turbines from renowned manufacturers were planned and built by Volkswind, and commissioned between March 2018 and April 2019. The plants are located in the Picardie region in Northern France, in the central Hauts-de-France region near Paris, and in the Pays de la Loire region in Western France. The four wind farms have a total installed capacity of 70.15 megawatts (MW) and generate an average production of 189,000 MWh of electricity per year, corresponding to the consumption of 40,000 households. The parties have agreed not to disclose details regarding the sales price.
Christoph Sutter, Head of New Energies at Axpo, comments: “The continued strong demand for wind farms from the portfolio of our subsidiary Volkswind confirms that our strategy is the right one. With the acquisition of the company in 2015 we laid the foundation to enter into the business for the development, construction, and sale of wind farms and the operation of plants for investors. We will continue developing these lucrative business fields in the future.”
Volkswind GmbH has been a leading wind energy producer in Europe since 1993. With its headquarters in Ganderkesee, in Northern Germany, the company's core business includes the full-range planning of wind farms in close cooperation with land owners and municipalities, project and construction management during the erection phase, as well as operational management, service and asset management of wind farms already in operation.
Since its founding Volkswind has realised over 70 wind farms with an installed capacity of over 1,000 MW in Germany and France and is one of the leading European developers and operators of onshore wind farms. As a comparison: Switzerland currently has 37 wind plants with an installed capacity of approx. 75 MW.
Volkswind's project pipeline remains well stocked and includes wind farms with over 3,000 MW in various phases of development. The company manages plants with an installed capacity of approx. 500 MW. Since the wind energy pioneer was acquired by Axpo in 2015, Volkswind has strengthened its position for the further development and diversification of the project portfolio.
Corporate Communications