Eole-RES gears up to quadruple capacity

Eole-RES, the French subsidiary of Britain's Renewable Energy Systems, will quadruple the installed capacity it owns and operates in 2006 according to CEO Jean-Marc Armitano. In addition to 20.8 MW already turning at its Souleilla and Corbières plants in the Aude département of Languedoc-Roussillon, Eole-RES has 73.2 MW ready for commissioning or under construction. Coming online this month are six Vestas 1.75 MW units at Claves in the southerly Drome département and eight Siemens 1.3 MW turbines at Haut-Cabardès, also in the Aude. In May, a further eight machines will start operating at Haut-Cabardès, bringing the project to 20.8 MW. At the same time, Eole-RES is building a 29.9 MW installation at Haut-Languedoc in the Herault département, also in Languedoc-Roussillon, comprising 23 Siemens 1.3 MW units, and 12 MW at Cuxac-Cabardès in the Aude using six Vestas 2 MW turbines. Both are scheduled for completion late 2006. The four projects represent an investment of over EUR 100 million, financed partly by Eole-RES equity and partly by a bank loan. The company has also started turnkey construction of a 10.5 MW station at Gravières in the Drome for private investors; commissioning is scheduled for March. Finally, it recently received siting permits for three projects totalling 78 MW for 2007. Armitano says Eole-RES has projects representing a further 1000 MW or so at various stages of development.