Three new partners have joined the Germany-based Green GECCO joint venture, which aims to develop and operate renewable energy projects across Europe.
German energy utilities AVU, Emscher Lippe Energie (ELE) and Rheinische Energie (rhenag) have become part of the association, which was established in April 2010 by RWE Innogy and 26 municipal utilities from around Germany.
Green GECCO last year launched its first project by taking over the An-Suidhe onshore windfarm in Scotland.
“AVU has already been playing an active part in the field of renewable energies for years,” said Dr. Claus Bongers, Technical Executive board member of AVU, the energy utility for the German district of Ennepe-Ruhr. “Our participation in Green GECCO is an optimum supplement to this commitment.”
The partnership is aiming to continue developing renewable energy projects that would not be feasible for any of the municipal partners on their own. Green GECCO has set a target of investing €1 billion in the renewable electricity and heat production markets by 2020.
“The fact that more partners have joined shows that the idea behind Green GECCO works,” said Dr. Norbert Ohlms, member of the managing board of Green GECCO. “Especially now, when Germany must rise to the challenge of turning its energy supply around, it is good to have three additional strong partners by our side.”
