GDF SUEZ Acquires UK Wind Energy Developer

GDF SUEZ is pleased to announce that it has acquired West Coast Energy (“WCE”), a leading independent wind energy developer. This acquisition strengthens GDF SUEZ’s commitment to expand its wind portfolio in the UK.

West Coast Energy has been operating in the UK for over 18 years and has successfully developed 650 MW of wind capacity, representing 9% of the installed onshore wind capacity in the UK. WCE has a significant pipeline of onshore wind development projects under evaluation with a capacity of 200 MW. GDF SUEZ has been working in partnership with West Coast Energy to develop wind projects since 2008. West Coast Energy currently employs 55 people in its headquarters in Mold.

Steve Riley CEO and President of GDF SUEZ Energy UK-Europe said: ”This investment confirms GDF SUEZ’s strategy of pursuing growth in renewable generation in Europe. The West Coast Energy team have significant experience in wind energy development that will complement our existing in-house expertise in structuring, financing, building and managing projects in the UK market. This acquisition gives us an opportunity to increase our presence in renewables in the UK via high quality projects”.

GDF SUEZ currently owns seven operating wind farms across the UK with a total capacity of 70 MW.

Projects developed in partnership with West Coast Energy

GDF SUEZ in the UK is a key independent power producer
GDF SUEZ Energy in the UK is a key independent power producer by capacity with approximately 6.977 GW in operation in the UK market made up of a mixed portfolio of assets – coal, gas, CHP, wind, OCGT distillate, and the UK’s foremost pumped storage facility. Several of these assets are owned and operated in partnership with Mitsui & Co. The generation assets represent approximately 6% of the UK’s installed capacity. The company also has a retail business supplying electricity and gas to the Industrial and Commercial sector.