PRESS RELEASE
NOVEMBER 5, 2014
NEOEN ANNOUNCES THE CONSTRUCTION OF
EUROPE'S LARGEST PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PARK
Neoen, a major French renewable energy company, announces the completion of the development of
Europe's largest photovoltaic energy park, the completion of its related financing and start of
construction works. This Neoen-developed facility, located in the town of Cestas, near Bordeaux,
consists in several power plants with a total combined output of 300 MW. Neoen will own 120 MW while
eight other reputable investors will own the remaining 180 MW.
Construction of each power plant will be performed by a consortium comprising Eiffage-Clemessy / Schneider
Electric / Krinner, which will also be responsible for operation and maintenance activities. Total investment for the
project will exceed €360 million.
The solar park will be connected directly to the very high voltage grid, and will be operational in October 2015. It
will produce over 350 gigawatt-hours yearly, the equivalent of the entire power consumption of the population of
Bordeaux.
Xavier Barbaro, CEO of Neoen, said: "We are proud to have completed development of this unique project,
thereby heralding a new era in the history of renewable energies in France. These power plants will constitute the
largest and one of the most competitive photovoltaic solar parks in Europe, demonstrating the ability of this
technology to play a leading role in the French and European energy mix. We are also delighted that a
consortium of French companies will undertake its construction. This confirms the strength of France's solar
industry, which Neoen actively participates in developing."
About Neoen:
Neoen, an independent energy company, was founded in 2008 on the initiative of Jacques Veyrat. The company is a
subsidiary of Impala SAS and other shareholders consist of the Capenergie II fund (managed by Omnes Capital) and
Bpifrance. Neoen develops, finances, builds and operates power plants based on renewable energies (solar, wind, biomass).
Neoen operates in France, Portugal, Australia, Mexico, Egypt and El Salvador, and seeks to achieve installed power of over
1000 MW by 2017.
Advisors:
Lazard (Thomas Picard, Julien Videau, Emmanuel Civeyrac) acted as exclusive financial advisor to Neoen in connection with
the equity and debt financing of this park. Neoen's legal advisors were Linklaters (Bruno Derieux, Alice Magnan) and De
Pardieu Brocas Maffei (Jean-Renaud Cazali, Christine Le Bihan-Graf, Guillaume Sauvage).
Press contacts:
Stéphanie Prunier
Tel. 06 10 51 74 20
[email protected]
NEOEN | PRESS RELEASE | NOVEMBER 5, 2014
Daniel Saltsman
Tel. 06 33 39 94 42
[email protected]