AREVA announced today that it has agreed to acquire U.S. solar company Ausra. Ausra is a California-based provider of large-scale concentrated solar power solutions for electricity generation and industrial steam production.

Utilizing Ausra’s management team and proven technology, this acquisition launches AREVA’s new solar energy business on a global scale.

Liddell Solar/Coal-Fired Power

By combining Ausra’s proven technology with AREVA’s years of project experience and world class Engineering, Procurement, and Construction skills, AREVA commits to building the most cost-effective concentrated solar power for energy customers around the world.
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by Katherine Berezowskyj

Jobs and renewable energy were the topics of conversation during a roundtable in Hamilton County, Florida last week. Local officials and residents joined representatives from AREVA and Duke Energy, to talk about the impact that the planned ADAGE biopower facility will have in the area.

AREVA Inc. President Jacques Besnainou speaks to the economic roundtable.

A joint venture between AREVA and Duke Energy, ADAGE is the first partnership in the United States between two major companies to develop new facilities based on biopower─ biomass to electricity. Using local clean wood byproducts and residue as fuel, this planned biopower facility in Hamilton County will create a significant impact on the surrounding communities, producing both clean energy and much-needed jobs.

During the construction and initial operation phases, the facility is expected to create roughly 700 direct and indirect jobs throughout the community. These job estimates provided by Dr. Julie Harrington, an independent economist and Director of Florida State University’s Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis, also show a $105 million direct impact on the local economy in the first 2.5 years. After full startup, she estimates that it will create 24 direct operation jobs, at least 100 fuel supply jobs, and 150 indirect jobs in the local economy. Representative Leonard Bembry (D-Madison) added that “following the construction period, the facility will provide over $70 million in economic impact every year.”

ADAGE expects to break ground in 2010 on the facility and to have it up and running by as early as mid-2012. When fully operational, the facility will produce 50 Megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power 40,000 homes.

During the roundtable, ADAGE president Reed Wills shared his thoughts about the project saying, “Together, we can create renewable energy for homes and businesses while also creating local jobs─ a win-win for Hamilton County and Florida’s energy future.”

• More information on the ADAGE Economic Roundtable

by Katherine Berezowskyj

As AREVA is committed to be the leader in CO2-free energy power generation, we’re actively engaged in strengthening its already diverse portfolio. One part of this pursuit is our operations in the wind power market, specifically with the production of offshore wind turbines through our subsidiary Multibrid.

In March, AREVA signed a memorandum of understanding with Wet Feet Offshore Windenergy GmbH to supply more than 80 of the M5000 turbines to the Global Tech 1 farm. The 400MW farm, located about 55 miles off the German coast in the North Sea, will have a production capacity of 1.4 billion kWh per year.

The 5MW M5000 turbine offers advanced technology with a light-weight hybrid drive-train solution, suited for all foundation types. They’re particularly designed for use in harsh sea conditions. They are outfitted with a fully enclosed structure and wear-resistant construction. This protection guarantees little maintenance and high technical availability because the components are shielded from the corrosive sea environment.

Based on the success of the Multibrid wind turbines in Europe, with nearly 270 turbines selected for major offshore wind parks, and the anticipation of favorable market condition in the U.S. and Canada, we’ve accelerated the expansion of our renewables business in North America. This business expansion began with ADAGE, the biomass partnership between AREVA and Duke Energy. ADAGE has plans to build or operate a fleet of 50 MW woody biomass plants throughout U.S., already announcing the first proposed site in Hamilton County, Florida.

In the wind sector, to bring the proven offshore wind technology of the M5000 to the North American market, AREVA has a business development team in place to link up with development companies pursing wind turbine projects in the U.S. and Canada. This team, actively pursuing new projects, is located at the AREVA Inc. headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.

Click here for more information on the M5000, AREVA and Multibrid.

By Jarret Adams

Today’s announcement of a memorandum of understanding for 80 offshore wind turbines for AREVA’s subsidiary Multibrid signals a major step forward for our renewable business.  Apart from the fact that this will be a contract worth over $900 million for AREVA, it reinforces our position as a major player in the renewables sector.

These wind turbines will be located off the North Sea coast of Germany, but AREVA is looking for opportunities for new business at various locations in North America. Our company remains one of a handful capable of producing the 5 MW offshore wind turbines.

AREVA also is involved in other renewable sectors, such as biopower (biomass to electricity). We have constructed 100 biomass facilities around the world and are now looking to build more in the United States.

Last September, AREVA and Duke Energy formed ADAGE, a joint venture focused on providing biopower solutions to U.S. electricity customers. Since its formation, ADAGE has moved forward with the goal of building 10-12 facilities over the next six years. In February, ADAGE announced a preliminary agreement with Energy Northwest to market 50 MW biopower facilities in Pacific Northwest.

Developing solutions for power generations with a small environmental impact from renewables, such as wind and biomass, along with clean nuclear energy is a main focus of our business.