BKW : Acquisition of four wind farms in France

The purchase agreement between BKW and Samfi Invest Group was signed on 4 November 2016. One of the farms has been in operation since 1 May 2016; the other three are in the planning or construction phase and should be connected to the network between 2017 and 2018. With 22 turbines and an installed capacity of more than 49 MW, they will produce around 120 GWh of electricity per year, equal to the annual consumption of more than 18,000 households. The transaction still requires the approval of the French authorities and should be completed by the end of November.

With the purchase of these farms, BKW is strengthening its production of CO2-neutral energy and its presence in different geographical areas of France. Renato Sturani, Head of the Renewables & Efficiency division, is delighted with the addition of this important piece of the puzzle: 'This acquisition optimises our wind portfolio through greater geographical and regulatory diversification.'

BKW's wind portfolio has a total installed capacity of almost 440 MW and an annual output of close to 660 GWh. Overall, BKW has 75 wind turbines in Germany (149 MW), 118 in Italy (240 MW), 31 planned in Norway (112 MW), 16 in Switzerland (37 MW) and soon 28 in France (62.8 MW). BKW also holds stakes in Helvetic Wind's wind farms in Germany and Italy.

*Average consumption of a French household: 6,500 kWh/year