Bordeaux, May 20, 2021
• EDF Renewables plans to partner with Cero Generation and Green Lighthouse Development (GLHD) to support the realization of GLHD's portfolio comprising 2.4 GW of solar energy capacity under development in France.
• This portfolio of agrivoltaic projects is one of the largest in France.
• The innovative nature of agrivoltaism lies in the coexistence of solar energy production and agricultural production activities to strengthen the responsible development of both sectors.
EDF Renouvelables, one of France's leading players in the field of renewable energy, has signed a share purchase agreement which, subject to final regulatory approvals from relevant antitrust authorities, will see it acquire a stake of 45 % in GLHD alongside Cero Generation, one of Europe's largest solar energy developers. At the end of the operation, GLHD will be owned equally by Cero and by EDF Renewables (45 % each), the two founders will hold the remaining 10 %. EDF Renewables and Cero will join forces to support the implementation of GLHD's 2.4 GW of solar projects under development in France.
GLHD is a major player and a pioneer in agrivoltaic solar projects in France. Its approach is based on sharing space between agriculture and renewable energies, both to produce low-carbon electricity and to enable more sustainable agricultural practices.
France has placed solar energy at the heart of its energy transition strategy, aiming to deploy a maximum of 44 GW of installed solar capacity by 2028. To meet these ambitious renewable energy targets and the search for land, shared use of agricultural land and cohabitation of uses is becoming a growing issue.
Launched in February 2021, Cero is a company dedicated to the development of solar energy projects. It is present in Europe to bring a future without carbon emissions. A portfolio company of Macquarie's Green Investment Group, it works alongside local partners, including GLHD, to deliver its 8GW portfolio of projects comprising more than 150 industrial-scale and on-site generation projects.
EDF Renewables, which recently signed a Charter of Good Practices with the FNSEA and the French Chamber of Agriculture to develop ground-mounted photovoltaic projects on agricultural land, will bring its technical, industrial and development expertise to GLHD's project portfolio. EDF Renewables is also developing, with EDF Research & Development, innovative technological solutions for solar installations allowing complementarity between agriculture and photovoltaic solar. This partnership will also participate in EDF's Solar Plan, which aims to make the Group a leader in the sector in France, with a market share of 30 % by 2035.
“France has a very ambitious program in terms of solar energy. Agrivoltaic projects make it possible to realize this ambition, while supporting agricultural production and providing the agricultural profession with additional sources of income,” declared Nikolaj Harbo, CEO of Cero Generation. “No one knows the French energy market like the EDF group, so I am delighted that EDF Renewables is joining Cero and GLHD in this exciting adventure. »
Nicolas Couderc, France Director of EDF Renewables added: “EDF Renewables enthusiastically welcomes the prospect of investing in Green Lighthouse Development, a company ideally positioned to make the most of the emerging agrivoltaics market. The shared experience of Cero Generation and EDF Renewables will help GLHD to become a major player in agrivoltaics in France. ".
David Portales and Jean-Marc Fabius founders of GLHD, said: “GLHD is an agile SME, which offers tailor-made solutions for its clients and projects. Our partnership with Cero Generation has enabled us to achieve strong growth, and the arrival of EDF Renewables will help us strengthen our offering while consolidating our presence in France. With the support of EDF Renewables and Cero, we are preparing for a dynamic, innovative and bold future. ".
–ENDS–
Media contacts
Manon of Cassini-Hérail
tel: +33 (0)1 40 90 48 22
email: Manon.decassini-herail@edf-en.com
Lindsay Roberts
tel: +44 20 3037 4014
email: Lindsay.roberts@greeninvestmentgroup.com
About GLHD
GLHD is a French company located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, which develops and installs solar projects on conventional and agrivoltaic soil. Faced with environmental and territorial challenges, GLHD has developed an innovative economic model and a deployment strategy based on convictions: anchoring in the territory, financial independence and the strength of innovation. The founders say of their model “that it combines the paradoxes specific to renewable energies in France: virtuous but profitable, industrial and agile, local and national in scope, and all this at low cost”.
Follow us on linkedin: “https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-lighthouse-developement/”
About Cero Generation
Cero Generation is a leading solar energy company, working across Europe to support the transition to a net zero future, for this generation and all others. Active throughout the project lifecycle, from development to construction and operation, our highly experienced team collaborates with local partners to bring world-class industrial, commercial and technical expertise to our projects.
Our 8GW solar development portfolio is one of the largest in Europe, covering both utility-scale and on-site generation projects, as well as integrated energy storage solutions. Our goal is to provide high quality, high performance assets, and offer our industrial and commercial customers the solutions that will enable them to accelerate their journey to a net zero future, we are Cero Generation.
Cero Generation is a portfolio company of the Green Investment Group, which operates autonomously.
For more information, visit cerogeneration.com
About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables is an international leader in renewable electricity production with installed wind and solar capacity of 13.8 GW gross worldwide. Mainly present in Europe and North America, EDF Renewables continues its development by taking a position
in promising emerging markets such as: Brazil, China, India, South Africa and the Middle East. Historically active in onshore wind power and photovoltaics, the Company is now strongly positioned in offshore wind power and new technologies such as energy storage. EDF Renewables ensures the development and construction of renewable energy projects as well as their operation and maintenance. EDF Renewables is a subsidiary of the EDF group.
For more information: www.edf-renouvelables.com
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edf-renouvelables and on Twitter @EDF_RE in French and @EDF_Renewables in English.