Arnaud Bellanger and Christophe Desplats-Redier, Regional Director Europe at Neoen (photo: Statkraft)
Statkraft has acquired the Croatian portfolio of French renewables developer Neoen. According to Arnaud Bellanger, Country Manager for Croatia and France at the Norwegian state-owned utility, the deal covers about ten projects.
Statkraft said the acquisition received all regulatory approvals, allowing Neoen’s portfolio to be integrated into its operations in Croatia.
It added that the transaction includes all of Neoen’s early-stage projects in the country, for wind and solar power and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Neoen has been present in Croatia since mid-2020, while Statkraft started its Croatian operations in 2021.
Arnaud Bellanger, Country Manager for Croatia and France at Statkraft, told Balkan Green Energy News that Neoen currently has around ten projects in early development phases.
Bellanger: Statkraft feels two portfolios align well in Croatia
“While we cannot disclose all of Neoen’s projects in Croatia at this time, some of the company’s projects previously made public were a solar power plant in Zadar County, an agrisolar power plant in Dragalić (Slavonia), and a battery energy storage system in Lužnica (close to Zaprešić and the capital, Zagreb). These are all projects in early development stages,” he stressed.
Neoen, he added, was actively involved in developing wind projects and battery energy storage systems, showcasing a diversified approach to sustainable energy solutions, much like Statkraft. This is also why Statkraft feels two portfolios align well in Croatia.
However, since both companies are at an early stage with their projects in Croatia, Statkraft said it is too early to disclose the exact details of these projects.
“The project portfolios are complementary, enhancing our overall coverage without duplication. This strategic synergy allows us to maximize opportunities in diverse regions across the whole of Croatia,” Bellanger added.
Statkraft is taking over three project developers from Neoen
He also welcomed Neoen’s three project developers to the company’s team in the capital Zagreb.
In Statkraft’s strategy, the acceleration of solar, onshore and offshore wind, and battery storage is one of four strategic pillars.
According to the website of its Croatian subsidiary, in 2020 it acquired British solar company Solarcentury, which had already started activities in the country, and the following year Statkraft’s office was opened in Zagreb.
A few years ago Bellanger said that Statkraft aims to commission at least 50 MW of wind and solar capacity per year in Croatia.
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