Alpiq : sells Bayet gas-fired combined-cycle power plant

Lausanne - Alpiq has sold its Bayet 408-MW gas-fired combined-cycle power plant in France to the French energy group Direct Energie. The divestment takes place within the framework of the transformation of the Alpiq Group, the objectives of which are to achieve focussed cost management and to reduce net debt.

Alpiq decided to sell its gas-fired combined-cycle power plant in Bayet, located in the French department of Allier. The buyer is the energy group Direct Energie with headquarters in Paris. With the transaction, Direct Energie acquires the power plant as well as the company 3CB SAS (Centrale à Cycle Combiné de Bayet). 3CB SAS was founded in 2006 for the purpose of construction and operation of the gas-fired combined-cycle power plant. This is a facility with a capacity of 408 MW. The plant has been in operation since 1 July 2011, and is located about 50 kilometres north of Clermont-Ferrand. The company 3CB SAS has been a 100 per cent subsidiary of Alpiq. The divestment takes place within the framework of the transformation of the Alpiq Group, the objectives of which are to achieve focussed cost management and to reduce net debt. The sale is subject to the fulfilment of conditions precedent, and will become legally valid from the end of 2015 at the earliest.

The activities of Alpiq Energie France SAS in Paris will not be affected by the sale of the power plant. In France, Alpiq aims to strengthen its position as a leading electricity supplier for large industrial and commercial customers, and to expand its gas sales business. The company is one of the largest players in terms of management of production capacities and load response in the liberalised part of the French market. In addition, Alpiq is developing new energy services that will become available to customers as of 2016.

Divestment