PRESS RELEASE
Paris La Défense, April 27, 2012
Revenues for First Quarter 2012
Séchilienne-Sidec Group : significant increases in revenues (+23.2%)
and in biomass and photovoltaic energy production capacity
| Revenues (€ million) | 1Q 2012 | 1Q 2011 | % Change |
| Thermal biomass energy | 82.8 | 69.3 | + 19.5 |
| Solar and wind energy | 12.4 | 7.8 | + 58.1 |
| Holding | 0.4 | 0.6 | ns |
| TOTAL | 95,7 | 77.7 | +23.2 |
non-audited figures
High rise in thermal biomass business: +19.5%
Revenues at the group's thermal power plants increased to €82.8 million in the first quarter of 2012, up 19.5% over the same period in 2011. Total power generation in the first quarter (excluding plants in Mauritius which are consolidated as a minority holding) climbed to 595.3 GWh, 24% higher than the previous year.
The significant increase in both revenues and generation stems from the new capacity that came on stream through the Caraïbes Energie plant (38 MW) which was commissioned in March 2011. The increase also derived from high availability rates at group's power plants, despite the low call-out rate at the CCG peak turbine in Martinique, and, in addition, a small drop in coal prices.
Photovoltaic power plants up to full speed
Revenues from the group's solar and wind power business were €12.4 million in the first quarter of 2012, a marked rise of 58.1% over the same period in 2011. Solar and wind power now accounts for 13 % of overall group turnover. Total solar and wind energy generated rose by 27.6%, to 49.9 GWh.
These excellent results were driven by a very strong rise in photovoltaic installed capacity which benefited from guaranteed high prices. Solar energy generated by the group reached 23.5 GWh in the first quarter of 2012, up 64.3% on the same period last year, while revenue reached €10.1 million, an increase of 76.5%. Séchilienne-Sidec now has 70 MW of installed capacity due to the connection of the group's stand-alone solar power plants in French Guyana and Reunion to the local electricity grid during the course of 2011.
Wind power generated in the first quarter of 2012 rose to 26.4 GWh, despite unfavorable climatic conditions. Revenue from wind power rose from €2.1 million to €2 .3 million over the same period. Thanks to the connection of the Heninel Power plant during 2011 the total installed capacity connected is now 56.5 MW.
About Séchilienne-Sidec
Séchilienne-Sidec is an independent energy producer, with 20 years of experience in generating electricity from biomass resources. The group specializes in operating medium-sized power plants in complex environments where close cooperation with the industries supplying the biomass is essential. Séchilienne-Sidec is also a leading producer of photovoltaic power-generated electricity.
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Media contacts
HeadLand Consultancy
Luc Périnet-Marquet +33 (0)1 44 50 40 35, lperinet@headlandconsultancy.com
Sophie Ryan +33 (0)1 44 50 40 39, sryan@headlandconsultancy.com
