19 September 2006
Wärtsilä BioPower, a Finnish company, which is the leading designer and builder of biomass power generation units, and Helius Energy, a North East-based biomass-to-green electricity company, have signed a co-operation agreement to develop combined heat and power plants throughout the UK. The agreement covers up to 13 joint projects, which would represent an opportunity to install up to 65MWe of output capacity.
Under the terms of this agreement, Helius Energy will own, operate, be responsible for conducting market research, arranging the finance, the construction and environmental certification of the plants, as well as putting in place energy supply agreements. Wärtsilä BioPower’s role will be to design, engineer and deliver the plants to agreed specifications.
Helius Energy and Wärtsilä BioPower have entered into an exclusivity agreement for the use of the process technology in the UK, and although the agreement initially covers 13 projects, this number could increase in the future.
John Seed, Helius Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, says:
"Our agreement will enable us to offer market leading and proven technology to convert biomass into green electricity. Biomass generation facilities will provide many companies with sustainable waste management solutions, whilst at the same time reducing their carbon footprint - a win-win for those involved."
Pasi Rantonen, President of Wärtsilä Biopower, adds:
"This agreement will increase Wärtsilä BioPower’s growth potential, by allowing the company to concentrate on its core expertise of developing and delivering state-of-the-art generation plants. By letting Helius Energy handle the financing, marketing and regulatory requirements, we can focus on the technology, making this a very profitable relationship."
Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of more than 12,000 professionals manning 130 Wärtsilä offices in over 60 countries around the world.
