Alpiq inks deal to sell 72.5-MW wind farm, subsidiaries in Bulgaria

Swiss power company Alpiq is selling a 72.5-MW wind farm and two subsidiaries in Bulgaria for an undisclosed price in an effort to sharpen its focus on core markets.

Alpiq said on Monday that it has reached an agreement with Vienna, Austria-based independent power producer Renalfa IPP for the sale of the Vetrocom wind farm in Bulgaria. Vienna-based firm Renalfa Solarpro Group, which founded Renalfa IPP as a joint venture with French investor RGreen Invest, will alone acquire Alpiq Wind Services and Alpig Energia Bulgaria.

Alpiq Wind Services was set up in 2017 to operate and maintain the Vetrocom wind farm. Alpiq Energia Bulgaria is Alpiq’s energy trading business in charge of commercialising Vetrocom’s electricity and handling the purchase and sale of balancing energy in connection with Vetrocom and for third-party assets, the Swiss company said.

The Vetrocom wind farm is Alpiq’s wholly-owned asset. It consists of 29 wind turbines commissioned in three stages between 2010 and 2012.

The wind farm is located in the town of Kazanlak, some 200 kilometres (124.3 miles) east of Bulgaria’s capital Sofia. East Europe-focused Renalfa IPP secured the agreement for its acquisition in a competitive auction, according to Monday’s announcement.

“Alpiq proudly looks back on more than a decade of successful ownership and operation of one of Bulgaria’s largest wind farms. I am delighted to pass on Vetrocom and the strong local team to Renalfa that will continue and build on this success,” commented Lukas Gresnigt, Head of Alpiq’s International business division.

The sale is subject to the usual closing conditions and requires regulatory approval. The parties expect to close the deal some time in 2023.

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