The new OPDE Group Centre will be located in Turin Italy
· The Spanish solar photovoltaic multinational, The OPDE Group – comprising the companies OPDE, MECASOLAR, PROINSO and RIOS- will sign next Friday, October 8th, an agreement with the regional government of Piedmont (Italy) for: The construction of 17 solar facilities in the period 2009-2010; the start up of the operation and the maintenance centre of RIOS photovoltaic systems and the assembly of MECASOLAR trackers and structures; as well as the creation of a Logistics and Research Centre for photovoltaic solar energy in the region.
· The project will involve three phases from October 2009 to December 2010 and reflect the steady presence of OPDE in the Italian region for the next few years. The OPDE Group is expected to create 125 new direct jobs, from a total of 375 that will come from the ambitious solar photovoltaic project.
· The new Centre in Turin will be the base for OPDE Group expansion into the markets in France, Germany, Austria and the Eastern European countries.
September 30, 2009 .- The OPDE group and the regional government of Piedmont (Italy) will sign on Friday 8th October, a collaboration protocol under which the Spanish multinational will build a total of 17 solar facilities in the Italian region that will together produce, 75 MW of installed capacity.
The construction and start up of the facilities will be located in the provinces of Cuneo, Asti and Alessandria, and will take place in the period between October 2009 and December 2010 (* see attached graph).
The ambitious solar photovoltaic partnership agreement has been approved by the regional executive, who has pledged to speed up the bureaucratic processes for its implementation, while the OPDE Group ensures its stable presence in the Piedmont region during the next few years. The OPDE Group hopes to create 125 new jobs, from a total of 375 direct and indirect posts which will become available from the ambitious solar photovoltaic project, meaning an important economic driver for the region of Piedmont.
The project submitted by the OPDE Group involves a three-stage development. The first, planned to be completed in early 2010 – provides the implementation of 7 solar photovoltaic farms that will obtain 31 MW of installed capacity. These plants will be located at:
• CN11c: Fossano (Cuneo) with 5.6 MWp
• CN10: Ceva Lesegno (Cuneo) with 7.3 MWp
• AT01: Bubbio (Asti) with 5.3 MWp
• AL03: Quattordio (Alessandria) with 1.9 MWp
• AL04a: Casale Monferrato (Alessandria) with 1.9 MWp
• AL04b: Rosignano Monferrato (Alessandria) with 5.0 MWp
• AL07a: Quargnento (Alessandria) with 4.0 MWp
TOTAL 2009: 31 MW representing a total investment of €150 Mill
Similarly, in this first phase the operation and maintenance centre of the company RÍOS- part of the group- will come into operation as well as MECASOLAR´s solar trackers and fixed structures in Turin (capital of Piedmont), which will also act as a Logistics Centre and from where the OPDE Group intends to supply the solar PV market in France, Germany and Eastern European countries.
The second phase will take place in 2010 with the construction of a further ten solar power plants with an installed capacity of 45 MW, representing a total investment in this second phase of €170 Mill in the region. The third phase will focus on collaboration with technology centres and universities to launch a Centre for Research on Photovoltaic Solar Energy.
Company Information:
OPDE www.opde.net
The OPDE group is a European industry, originating in Spain. It focuses on the promotion and construction of solar photovoltaic plants worldwide. The OPDE Group comprises, OPDE – promotion, development and construction of solar plants -, MECASOLAR – design and manufacture of solar trackers and fixed structures, and -PROINSO – engineering and equipment supply.
At the end of 2008 OPDE had developed and constructed 82 MW. In 2008 OPDE´s turnover exceeded $ 730 million, according to information contained in the consolidated financial statements audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
OPDE´s aim is to become one of the worldwide leading groups in the development and construction of photovoltaic projects, with one of its goals being to develop and build 250 MW worldwide by the end of 2010.
MECASOLAR www.mecasolar.com
MECASOLAR is integrated into the OPDE Group and specializes in the design, manufacture and distribution of 2-axis solar trackers, 1-axis solar trackers and fixed structures. All MECASOLAR equipment employs cutting-edge technology. Its 2-axis trackers can increase solar PV production by more than 35% compared to fixed installations, and include a 10-year warranty on parts and labour. Its 1-axis seasonal azimuth trackers maximize production by up to 28% compared with fixed structures and require a minimum space -2.51 hectares/1MW (6.2 acres / 1MW) -.
MECASOLAR, has produced 180 MW of trackers, boasting the highest total turnover in the sector. It has five factories in Spain, one in Greece and one in California, USA. The MECASOLAR Company will open a new production plant in northern California, which will start producing 1 and 2-axis solar trackers and fixed structures at full capacity in late 2009. This initiative reflects the interest of MECASOLAR in the U.S. market. In fact, the company already has a sales office in San Francisco and has made various supplies to customers in California.
PROINSO www.proinso.net
PROINSO is part of the OPDE Group specialised in engineering and supply for solar photovoltaic plants. In 2008 PROINSO distributed 80 MW in modules and 140 MW in invertors. PROINSO has distribution agreements with Trina and REC for modules and with SMA for invertors and MECASOLAR for trackers.
The PROINSO internationalization process has been supported and has become consolidated through its experience in solar photovoltaic markets in Europe, where it is one of the leading companies. //
RIOS RENOVABLES www.riosrenovables.com
This is the company in the OPDE Group dedicated to -Low and Medium Voltage- Electrical Installation and the Construction work for the group’s plants. Within the OPDE group it is the company responsible for conducting and managing the photovoltaic projects, low and high voltage projects, construction management and construction and maintenance of the facilities. Electrical Infrastructure design: medium and high voltage lines, electrical substations, transformer stations, distribution centres.
This company has now set up RIOS RENOVABILI S.R.L. in Italy from where it is conducting the work on the plants the group currently has on its books. It recently completed work on two 1 MWp plants in Ginosa-Apulia.
