Aravis: More power for renewable energy sources

BERN & ZURICH, SWITZERLAND: North-west Swiss energy supplier, EBM, based in Münchenstein and the power supply company in charge of the city of Bern, Energy Water Bern (ewb), share the goal of supporting their future power supply on renewable energy. For this purpose, the new construction and operation of appropriate production capacity at home and abroad will be again massively accelerated.

As regards to security of supply, risk, geography and profitability, both companies rely on a well-diversified and balanced mix. In order to secure a long-term investment strategy, both companies together with Aravis have brought «leading Swiss renewables AG» into being. The company's mission is to build in the medium run a sustainable, diversified portfolio of renewable energy production plants in Europe.

In addition, it is resourced with an equity of approximately 100 million Euro. EBM is also involved therein with 65 million Euro and ewb with 35 million Euro. This allows for the realization of renewable energy projects with a total volume of over € 200 million Euro. The total installed capacity will be in a first phase 100 megawatts (MW). The company has mandated Aravis for the implementation of the strategy as an investment adviser. Aravis has set a remarkable track record over the last few years as a strong executing partner in the area of renewable energy sources.

The focus of «leading Swiss renewables AG» lies mostly on wind energy. There is an active market for wind power projects in many European countries. Technology is tested but development is still far from complete. In addition to wind power, the portfolio is supplemented with small-scale hydro power plants and photovoltaic systems.

Destinations are Germany, the Benelux countries, France, Italy, Switzerland, Scandinavia and Spain. EBM and Aravis have already implemented power plant projects successfully, such as the 42 MW wind farm in Spain and the 6 MW photovoltaic plant in Italy. It has been proven that Aravis has not only distinct industry and finance expertise but also very good knowledge of local, country-specific conditions.

With this latest and strong engagement, EBM and ewb consistently pursue within the scope of their supply strategies the further expansion of renewable energies. Both companies are clearly demonstrating that they don’t just wash away their previous, non-conventional energy mixes with green certificates, but that they rather secure the planned energy transition through solid, newly built power plants.

Both EBM and ewb use in the wake of the liberalization of electricity markets, the currently available opportunities in order to secure new sources of production for the long-term energy supply and at the same time to fulfil the customers’ needs for environmentally friendly produced energy.