French giant Maia reveals wind spending plan

French construction and engineering firm Maia has unveiled a five year EUR 320 million wind power spending plan as part of a EUR 355 million renewable energy investment program which also sees EUR 35 million earmarked for hydro. It is aiming to install at least 500 MW of wind capacity by 2012 in France and other European countries. The company, based in Lyon, already has 88 MW of operating wind capacity in France and a further 74 MW permitted and waiting to build, all owned by its Maia Eolis joint venture with Gas de France in which Maia holds the majority 51% stake. To help fulfil its 500 MW goal, it recently closed a deal with German wind turbine manufacturer Repower for a further 338 MW of capacity to be delivered by 2011. Of the 169, 2 MW turbines ordered, 129 will be supplied for projects planned by Mais Eolis. The remaining 40 turbines are being supplied to Maia's fully-owned subsidiary Maia Power. Beyond mainland France, the group is investigating project potential off the coast of Normandy, as well as overseas in Italy, Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic.