The VOL-V group aims at positioning on the mid term as a major player in France in the development, construction end operation of power plants generating energy from renewable sources. It was founded by three entrepreneurs (Cédric de Saint-Jouan, Arnaud Guyot and François Bouffard) with c.15 years of experience in the renewable energy sector in Europe through the creation of 4 project development offices. The latters have generated c.500 MW of Wind capacity including 250 MW already in construction or operating to date.
In Wind, the VOL-V group owns a portfolio of projects of c.160 MW including c.51 MW in operation, in construction or consented. Over the past 3 years, the group has invested c.30 million euros in the construction of three wind parks in the Somme, Aveyron and Eure-et-Loir areas. In addition, about 45 millions will be invested in the next 18 months to build 2 new wind parks, thereby completing the first phase of the Wind development programme, with a 100%-owned operating Wind capacity of 51MW.
VOL-V Solar, the group subsidiary specialized in solar photovoltaic, has first focused on solar plants integrated in roof tops of industrial company facilities and public or private landowners. The first solar plants include roof sites in various sectors including logistics or pharmaceutical industry. Today, VOL-V Solar has broadened its area of intervention to ground-based solar plants mainly in Greenfield areas, and to car park roof tops. Within 2011, solar photovoltaic investments will amount to c.30 million euros.
Through VOL-V Biomass, the group continues its diversification in the biomass and “methanisation”, a process which falls within technologies advocated during the French « Grenelle de l’Environnement » conference, namely renewable energy production and organic waste recycling. The first projects are being developed in Western France in partnership with local authorities, industrial companies and farmers.
As a result, the VOL-V group aims at positioning as an integrated designer and operator of plants generating energy through renewable resources. In its three business fields, the group has gathered teams of specialists motivated by both environmental contribution and project technical quality. Besides, the VOL-V group is contemplating acquisitions which will enable to increase its portfolio of projects in development. For instance, the Group has acquired in July a portfolio of a dozen projects in the South of France.
« The build-up of a portfolio of quality projects and access to capital are the two drivers for the development of our group. Therefore our partnership with EUROFIDEME 2 will secure the conversion of our current wind and solar advanced pipeline into operating projects. It will also enable the group VOL-V to research on biomass, a fast-pace evolving sector», states Cédric de Saint-Jouan, CEO of the group VOL-V.
This investment is the third of EUROFIDEME 2 and enables to have a new growth platform in France. It is consistent with its strategy of investing with experienced renewable energy producers in Europe through financial partnerships and the financing of Greenfield projects.
« We are delighted to set up this partnership with VOL-V, a company with high-quality operating and consented Wind assets as well as significant growth perspectives on the mid run. The founders, already FIDEME clients, have an outstanding track record in renewable energy. Their expertise combined with financial strength will enable to build the projects already developed and quicken the development of new projects. It represents a growth vehicle in line with our Fund’s ambitious strategy in France» details Raphael Lance, head of EUROFIDEME 2 director of EUROFIDEME 2.
