Italgen strengthens renewable energy business

Italgen, an Italcementi Group company has acquired from Leitwind (Leitner Group) a 49% stake in Gardawind S.r.l, a company that has two 9 MW wind farms in the Kavarna region of Bulgaria, one of which is operating while the other is under construction. The transaction forms part of the development lines defined by Italgen’s strategic plan, the objective of which is to strengthen the company in the field of renewable energies.

Kavarna 1 wind farm was started by Leitwind in September 2009, with the installation of self manufactured turbines, resulting from the technical know how of the Leitner Technologies Group, which is based on the direct drive generator concept.

To date, Italgen has mainly operated in Italy, serving the energy needs of the Italcementi Group. At present 100% of the energy produced comes from renewable sources, specifically from 14 water power stations located in Piedmont, Lombardy and Veneto, interconnected by means of their own HVDC lines for a total length of approximately 400 km. Over the next five years, according to Italgen’s development lines, which are in step with the Italcementi Group’s international operations, the company’s activities will expand overseas on the free market of energy by implementing significant initiatives that will run parallel with new projects in Italy.

Italgen has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Egyptian Authorities for renewable energies for the construction of a significant wind farm in Gulf El Zeit (Red Sea), which is due to have an installed capacity of 120 MW in the first stage. In Turkey it has acquired the licences for the construction of a 142.5 MW wind farm in Balikesir, while in Morocco a wind farm is expected to be built which, by means of its interconnection with the national grid, will cover the energy needs of Ciments du Maroc (part of the Italcementi Group).

Leitwind recently installed over 40 large wind-powered generators not only in Italy, but also in Austria, France, India, Canada and Bulgaria. In 2010, an additional 30 machines will be installed in Europe, while 50 more will be installed in India.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/20052010/italgen_strengthens_renewable_energy_business/