GOLDBECK SOLAR Investment Ukraine to develop 500 MWp of solar projects

GOLDBECK SOLAR Investment Ukraine plans to realize up to 500 MWp of solar projects in Ukraine in the next three to five years. Planning for the construction of the first solar park is set to begin in the fall of 2024. The cooperation with the EBRD is a significant milestone. As EBRD’s first equity deal in Ukraine’s energy sector since the full scale invasion, it underlines the economic viability of the investment case, and highlights the continued role of GOLDBECK SOLAR as a trusted partner of EBRD after previous debt financing transactions in Poland and Kazakhstan. Completion of the transaction is subject to the usual regulatory approvals.

Joachim Goldbeck, CEO of the GOLDBECK SOLAR Group, commented: “We are very proud to support Ukraine in the expansion of their electricity grid based on renewable energy technologies. We are aware of the risks posed by the current political situation; nonetheless, we recognize that Europe’s future is linked to that of Ukraine and thus we need to set an example today. We are delighted to have an experienced partner at our side in the EBRD, with whom we have partnered in several other deals in the region.”

Olga Kovalchuk, Managing Director at GOLDBECK SOLAR Investment Ukraine, adds: “This joint venture marks an important step for our company and for Ukraine. With our experience and the resources of the EBRD, we can make significant progress in the renewable energy sector. We see great potential in Ukraine and are confident that our actions will make a sustainable contribution to the country’s energy supply but also encourage other companies to follow in our path.”

Arvid Tuerkner, Managing Director for Ukraine and Moldova at EBRD, said “We welcome this project, which has made it possible to bring in and facilitate a key cross-border investment for Ukraine, leveraging the EBRD’s experience and very strong presence in the country.“

Grzegorz Zielinski, Director of Energy Europe at EBRD, added “We are very excited to partner with GOLDBECK SOLAR Group, an experienced global renewable developer in supporting Ukraine’s green future, “building back better”, in these difficult times. We believe EBRD’s holistic approach toward Ukraine’s energy sector, from both public and private levels, will catalyze further investments into the sector.”

DEG loan to support green energy projects in Ukraine

GOLDBECK SOLAR Investment has signed a loan of 5 million euros from DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft for its commitment in Ukraine through the ImpactConnect program, which was initiated and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The program aligns with GOLDBECK SOLAR’s goal of developing green energy projects that have a positive impact on the community.

Cooperation with the Ukrainian government

As part of the Ukraine Recovery Conference taking place in Berlin, Joachim Goldbeck, CEO of the GOLDBECK SOLAR Group and Svitlana Grynchuk, Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) between GOLDBECK SOLAR Investment GmbH and the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine. This MoU includes a joint commitment to collaborate in several areas and activities, with the aim to promote private sector investment in the renewable energy sector in Ukraine. The signing ceremony was accompanied by German Galushchenko, the Minister of Energy of Ukraine, and the Parliamentary State Secretary from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

The construction of the new ground-mounted solar plant in Binissalem on the Spanish island of Mallorca began in mid-December with the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony. The project, which has an output of 11.66 MWp, is expected to generate around 17,976 MWh of clean energy per year and thus supply more than 7,200 households in the region with green electricity every year. This will save around 6,000 tons of CO2 per year in the future.

"Spain, and the island of Mallorca in particular, present promising markets for us due to the island’s significant solar energy potential, with over 300 days of sunshine per year,” says Miguel Velasco, Head of PC Iberoamerica at GOLDBECK SOLAR. “The construction of the solar power plant in Mallorca sends a strong signal for renewable energies and the region’s energy independence. This new solar power plant will ensure local clean energy production and strengthen the region’s energy independence. We take pride in implementing our first project in Mallorca, which is also our largest project in Spain to date. We are delighted to contribute to our customers’ goals and collaborate towards a more sustainable region.”

“We are delighted to be realizing our first joint project with Goldbeck on Mallorca,” comments Tim Kallas, Chief Investment Officer of Blue Elephant Energy GmbH. “With their extensive experience in the construction and operational management of PV parks, we know that Goldbeck is a reliable partner at our side. The further expansion of our Spanish portfolio also underlines once again our commitment to promoting clean energy solutions in Spain and beyond.”

For the ground-mounted photovoltaic system, 17,700 bifacial Canadian Solar modules with a size of 2.30m x 1.30m each are used. These make it possible to capture more power per module and thus allow a higher energy production at the same total area size. The Binissalem solar park is scheduled for completion and grid connection in September 2024.

The construction of the solar park with an output of 51 MWp began in March and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024. The plant will be located in Nieuwe Dijk, Ossendrecht, directly on the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, which once again underlines the international nature of renewable energies. With an expected annual energy yield of 44,500 MWh, the solar park will supply the equivalent of the power use of around 15,000 households and thus make a significant contribution to sustainable energy generation in the region. Around 88,000 modules and a decentralized inverter system will be used for the solar park.

Due to the proximity to the wind farm, existing grid connections can be used, and grid overloads avoided. However, existing supply lines within the construction site posed a challenge when planning the solar park. A detailed 3D visualization of the entire construction site was therefore carried out. For example, some areas will be able to be dismantled in order to be prepared for possible assembly work on the windmills. With the help of precise 3D planning, it was possible to ensure that all factors were taken into account and that the construction can proceed smoothly. Native plants will also be planted on the north and west sides of the park to attract insects and thus benefit birds and small mammals.

"GOLDBECK SOLAR has already built over 40 solar power plants in the Netherlands and can therefore not only make an important contribution to the energy transition but is also continuously committed to the development of renewable energies and the sustainable expansion of energy infrastructures in Europe. We are therefore particularly proud to realize our sixth solar park with Eneco Solar and to expand our portfolio in the Netherlands together with a strong partner," explains Thorsten Lerch, Head of Profit Center Netherlands at GOLDBECK SOLAR.

The BETD serves as a global forum where the governments of the participating countries and representatives from the private sector actively discuss current challenges and possible solutions for the energy transition. A well-defined international strategy is needed to rapidly advance the energy transition. "At the international level, simplified processes and accelerated procedures are just as necessary as offsetting the increased financing costs and measures to reduce bureaucracy. It’s vital to keep the construction and operation costs of photovoltaic systems low. Moreover, the market design must be revised to promote the further expansion of renewable energies in the long term and at the same time achieve a stable, CO2-neutral energy supply in an economically efficient manner," explains Joachim Goldbeck.

"In addition, there is a clear focus on Agri-PV: by combining PV with arable farming and biodiversity conservation, allowing us to use existing areas both efficiently and sustainably. Given the impending climate change and anticipated extreme weather conditions, Agri-PV promises to be a suitable solution to support farmers in cultivating their fields. The development of technical and regulatory solutions in the area of storage should also not be underestimated in order to reliably feed the growing proportion of solar and wind power into the grids and provide cost-effective and clean energy."

As President of the German Solar Industry Association and member of the Executive Committee of the World Energy Council – Germany, Joachim Goldbeck is committed to fostering a constructive and forward-thinking dialogue with policymakers. As part of the BETD, Goldbeck will participate in a panel discussion on "Energy-Water-Food-Nexus: Holistic Solutions for Food and Water Supply Powered by Renewables" on March 20 at 12:00 noon.

As a leading provider of EPC services for ground-mounted systems and commercial roofs in the Netherlands, GOLDBECK SOLAR is committed to shaping the future of solar energy. At the trade fair, the company will be focusing on Agri-PV solutions, which enable the symbiosis of agricultural use and solar energy.

Thorsten Lerch, Head of Profit Center Netherlands at GOLDBECK SOLAR, emphasizes the importance of this development and explains: "We are excited to discuss solutions in the field of Agri-PV at Solar Solutions Amsterdam 2024. Given the current challenges and the growing awareness of sustainable measures, integrating solar energy into agricultural land is a win-win situation for all parties involved. Our goal is to work with our customers to develop tailor-made solutions that not only maximize energy production but also support biodiversity."

GOLDBECK SOLAR has gained an impressive market share in the Netherlands in recent years, further strengthened its position as a pioneer in the industry. Since 2018, the company has successfully realized 1.3 GWp of solar capacity across more than 40 projects. These achievements reflect GOLDBECK SOLAR’s continuous innovative strength and commitment to a sustainable future.

Visit us at Solar Solutions Amsterdam 2024 at stand no. E4 to find out more about our comprehensive portfolio of services.

The cluster, consisting of two solar parks, is located in Barlinek in the Western Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland and is operating since December 2023. The solar park has an installed capacity of 9 MWp and contributes significantly to the supply of clean energy in Poland. Barlinek has over 16,500 panels, which ensure efficient production of 8,982 GWh/year. This can supply around 4,000 households and save around 6,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

Boris Beltermann, COO of GOLDBECK SOLAR Investment: "We are very pleased about the successful project sale to a renowned energy company. This project is of great importance not only for us, but also for Poland to achieve its own climate protection goals and energy independence. The implementation of our project pipeline will make a significant contribution to the green energy transition in Europe."

Artur Schilhabel, Managing Director of Suncatcher Polska GmbH: "With Barlinek, we have implemented our first ground-mounted PV system in Poland and are thus significantly expanding our international expertise in the construction of large ground-mounted systems. By selling the solar park, we are also contributing to Europe’s climate-neutral future. This is because we are significantly increasing our production capacities and paving the way for an emission-free and green electricity supply."

Con una capacidad instalada de 12.08 MWp, el parque solar de Paillihue marca un hito importante en el compromiso de GOLDBECK SOLAR de hacer posible la generación de energías renovables en Chile. La planta solar cuenta con 22.176 paneles bifaciales y dos inversores centrales, que permiten la producción eficiente de 23,3 GWh/año de energía limpia. Se espera que este suministro de energía sostenible abastezca a unos 10.000 hogares, al tiempo que ahorra unas 9.000 toneladas de emisiones de CO2 al año.

Por otra parte, el parque solar Laja, ubicado también en la misma provincia de Biobío, cuenta con una capacidad instalada de 11,67 MWp y contribuye de forma significativa al suministro de energía limpia. Laja integra 21.616 paneles bifaciales, que garantizan una producción eficiente de 21.2 GWh/año de energía renovable. Al igual que Paillihue, se espera que abastezca a unos 9.500 hogares, al tiempo que ahorra unas 8.500 toneladas de emisiones de CO2 al año.

"La energía solar desempeña un papel primordial en la generación de energía en todo el mundo. Por eso nos centramos en proyectos a gran escala y ofrecemos apoyo desde la idea inicial del proyecto, hasta el funcionamiento de los sistemas. Al hacerlo, tenemos en cuenta las necesidades de los residentes locales y buscamos mantener la armonía con la naturaleza, el medio ambiente y la biodiversidad", explica Miguel Velasco, Director del Área de Iberoamérica.” Con la inauguración de los parques solares de Paillihue y Laja, GOLDBECK SOLAR no sólo establece estándares tecnológicos, sino que también demuestra su compromiso con el desarrollo sostenible de Chile. Pedro Aravena, Project Manager del Área de Construcción de Iberoamerca:” Con la finalización de estos dos primeros parques solares Paillihue y Laja es una demostración de dos cosas, primero las renovables no son el futuro sino el presente de cualquier sistema energético que tenga como prioridad la sustentabilidad y segundo, hemos demostrado a las comunidades nuestro compromiso en la calidad y apoyo mutuo”

La empresa de origen alemán con base en Santiago, mantiene su firme compromiso de contribuir a la transformación del mercado energético chileno y maximizar los beneficios de la energía limpia para la comunidad”.

EcoVadis assesses companies based on 21 sustainability criteria across four core themes: Environmental, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. The Silver Medal signifies an overall score ranging from 59 to 69, validating GOLDBECK SOLAR’s robust dedication to sustainability in these critical domains.

Receiving the Silver Medal marks a significant milestone for GOLDBECK SOLAR, showcasing its continued commitment to sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship. The recognition affirms the company’s vision of being an industry leader and setting a positive example for others to follow.

"We are pleased to receive the EcoVadis Silver Medal, which validates our tireless efforts to promote sustainability inside and outside our company," said Joachim Goldbeck, CEO of the GOLDBECK SOLAR Group. "This award underscores our promise to have a significant impact on the environment and society while maintaining high ethical standards in all our business operations."

While the silver medal is an important symbol of achievement, GOLDBECK SOLAR sees it as the first step in its broader sustainability strategy. The company is proactively driving its sustainability initiatives to improve the impact of its operations in all areas.  This initiative is in line with the sustainability goals set for 2024 and beyond.

GOLDBECK SOLAR plans to use this certification to transparently communicate its sustainability efforts to customers, partners and stakeholders. The company will continue to provide regular information on its sustainability strategy and progress in the form of sustainability reports, thus demonstrating its commitment to environmental protection and social responsibility.

"The size of the Maasvlakte Solar Project, coupled with its unique location, makes it an exciting endeavor for GOLDBECK SOLAR," stated Michiel Vanhoutte, COO of GOLDBECK SOLAR. "Situated on the edge of the sea, Maasvlakte presents a highly exposed site with strong winds, which made the installation process complex and demanding." To minimize disruptions to the ongoing operations of the Smartlog logistics center, the engineering teams meticulously planned the construction and installation processes, ensuring the project adhered to strict timelines while minimizing any inconvenience for tenants. With over 20 years of experience, GOLDBECK SOLAR once again demonstrates its position as a gateway to solar energy through this remarkable undertaking.

Saving up to 15,000 tons CO2 a year

Contributing to the Netherlands’ commitment to the EU’s Green Deal, the Maasvlakte Solar Project is expected to save up to 14,845 tons of CO2 annually. This achievement solidifies its role as a catalyst in the nation’s journey towards achieving net climate neutrality by 2050. Furthermore, the project accounts for nearly half of PATRIZIA’s total solar power capacity within its logistics real estate portfolio, reinforcing the company’s sustainability goals.

Given the limited available land in the Netherlands for photovoltaic projects, rooftop solar installations are critical for the country’s energy transition. "As we rapidly expand into Europe, Sunrock collaborates with our real estate partners to develop on-roof solar projects," explained Johannes Duijzer, CEO of Sunrock. "Leveraging our expertise from the Dutch market, we are gaining traction in Germany, France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Solar energy is the most cost-effective and reliable energy source that propels the transition towards a cleaner and sustainable future."

The successful integration of the Maasvlakte solar project represents a significant milestone in GOLDBECK SOLAR’s commitment to its Dutch customers and demonstrates GOLDBECK SOLAR’s continued commitment to the successful implementation of renewable energy initiatives in the region.

About Sunrock

Sunrock is unstoppable.  We are working with European companies, organisations and governments on a bespoke energy strategy, and we are the number one in large scale solar projects. From solar systems to smart batteries and from asset management to clear dashboards.  Sunrock arranges it all; feasibility studies, subsidy applications, financing and insurance. From the operation and management of solar parks to the utilizing of the clean energy generated by them.

In 2012, Sunrock was established in the Netherlands as a start-up in solar energy for logistics real estate.  Sunrock has been part of COFRA Holding since 2020 and has grown to more than 120 employees in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France.  Sunrock has realised 500 MWP of solar energy and an additional 2GWp in development. With an outspoken commitment to our ESG criteria we are on a clear mission: powering forward with our clients, towards a a clean energy future.

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