Ardian infrastructure signs 10-year power purchasing agreement with Skelleftea Kraft

Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, and Skellefteå Kraft, the North Swedish municipal power company, today announced the signing of a 10-year green power purchase agreement (PPA). Financial details are not disclosed.

The PPA will see Skellefteå Kraft, one of Sweden's largest energy producers, purchase approximately one third (250 GWh) of the wind power production of the Åndberg wind farm, located in Åndberg/Härjedalen, Sweden, for 10 years. This wind power amounts to the energy need of 50,000 electrically heated households in Sweden. 

Ardian acquired the wind farm in February this year for €300 million. The wind farm, which is currently in construction in a project led by OX2 and will be ready in 2022, is one of the largest renewable energy developments in the Nordics, with capacity exceeding 280 MW. The Åndberg wind farm is one of three current wind power investments managed by Ardian’s new sustainable energy investment platform, eNordic.

Ardian Infrastructure’s portfolio in the Nordics, which already includes two wind farm investments in Norway and Sweden, will now exceed 400 MW of gross capacity, corresponding to the yearly energy consumption of more than 600,000 electric vehicles. 

Eero Auranne, CEO, eNordic, says: “With this agreement we establish a long-term partnership with Skellefteå Kraft to supply locally generated green power to consumers. It demonstrates the value of strong local cooperation and the commercial viability of green energy. We look forward to continue working with Skellefteå Kraft as we build out our sustainable energy platform with further investments in the region”.

Simo Santavirta, Head of Asset Management, Ardian Infrastructure, says: “This achievement perfectly illustrates our hands-on asset management approach and the industrial expertise brought by eNordic, our local management team. As a leading investor in sustainable energy, we see significant growth potential in supporting the rapid transition currently underway in the Nordics”.

Stefan Forsgren Acting Business Area Director, Power Systems, Skellefteå Kraft, says: “As one of Sweden’s largest energy companies we have a huge responsibility to drive the transition towards a more sustainable society. We see investments into new windfarms as an important part of this transition and are excited to together with eNordic and Ardian make this new windfarm in Sweden a success, while at the same time ensuring that our customers get access to large sources of sustainable energy”.

eNordic, which is the Nordic’s first sustainable energy platform, brings together Ardian’s global investment expertise and transaction ability, with the sector knowledge and local experience of leading domestic executives Eero Auranne and Thomas Linnard. 

Since 2007, Ardian Infrastructure has created a sustainable energy portfolio in nine countries around the world totaling 3 GW, including Skyline Renewables in the US (800 MW) and two joint-venture platforms in Italy (460 MW). Ardian Infrastructure’s investment in Kallista Energy, which Ardian sold in 2018, created one of the largest renewable energy platforms in France. Ardian is committed to fighting against climate change and actively seeks to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of its portfolio companies with a view to build a sustainable economy.