Czech-headed Energetický a průmyslový holding, a.s. (EPH) revealed December 15 that it has completed the acquisition of two Italian biomass power plants with a combined capacity of 73 MW from Bioenergie and Api Nòva Energia respectively. EPH confirms its interest in new investment in the Italian energy sector, by strengthening the current presence of its Italian subsidiary EP Produzione, that manages an overall capacity of 4.3 GW through six thermoelectric plants.
According to a statement, the transaction follows a preliminary acquisition agreement signed on October 20 and is part of the development plan of the Czech Group to expand into the European renewables business. The acquired companies, Biomasse Italia and Biomasse Crotone, operate using local woody biomass sourced from forest and landscape maintenance.
We are proud of this acquisition, which confirms the international vocation of the Group to sustain the ongoing energy transition, increasing the share of sustainable energy production. The use of biomass in the power production allows the plants to be programmable, differently from other renewable sources, and guarantees the safety of the power system, while securing important employment levels. Moreover, biomass could be the best tool to meet the goal of coal phase-out foreseen by the new National Energy Strategy, as proven in the UK and in Denmark, said Marco Arcelli, EPH Business Development Directors.
It is the Group’s second investment in biomass energy, the first being its acquisition of Lynemouth Power Ltd in the UK from Germany headed RWE Supply and Trading GmbH. Due to commence operations, Lynemouth is a 420 MWe coal-fired power station that is being converted to run on wood pellets that once completed will become one of the world’s largest dedicated biomass power plants.
