BayWa RE is continuing its expansion in France by acquiring the wind and solar developer Enerpole, which has long been a preferred partner of the company.
A pioneer in the development of renewable energy, Enerpole was founded in Carcassonne in the South of France in 2005.
Through the acquisition, BayWa RE secures a 600MW project portfolio, including 300MW of solar and 300MW of wind capacity.
Enerpole’s eight employees will also join the BayWa RE team.
Enerpole founder Jean-Paul Boulze said: “We have been working with BayWa RE for many years.
“Our two companies share a common project development culture that respects people, the environment and the region.
“To us, BayWa RE is the most natural buyer to represent our values and continue our approach in the field, while retaining the confidence of our employees.”
This acquisition furthers BayWa RE’s growth over recent years.
The company, which employs 130 people in France, has tripled its workforce in the last three years, and plans to recruit another 30 people this year.
BayWa RE France managing director Can Nalbantoglu said: “The acquisition of Enerpole is consistent with BayWa RE’s development strategy in France, one of the company’s key markets, which accounts for 20% of its results.”
Through Enerpole, BayWa RE is establishing its seventh office in France, in Carcassonne, and is strengthening its presence in the Occitanie region in Southern France, with additional recruitments planned.
Nalbantoglu added: “We have a territorial approach which focuses on the challenges and needs of each region.
“The Occitanie region is third in France in terms of installed wind power and second in terms of installed solar capacity.
“Its potential and the high quality of its solar and wind resources naturally made the region a strategic one for developing renewable energy in France.”
Active in France since 2005, BayWa RE has already installed and commissioned 315MW of wind and solar farms, and is responsible for the technical and commercial management of almost 600MW.
It now has a project pipeline of 2.2GW under development in France (1GW wind and 1.2GW solar).
The growth of its Services’ business there is another continuous strategic business objective.
The company is also working on the development of technological solutions such as Floating-PV and Agri-PV in France.