Idex acquires Sylviana – a biomass-powered electricity production plant
The Idex group recently signed an exclusive agreement with AltaWest and Banque des Territoires to acquire Sylviana, the biomass-powered electricity production plant in Brignoles (Var department).
In operation since 2016, this facility produces 21.5 MW of renewable electricity and supplies almost 62,000 households.
Sylviana: how does a biomass heating plant work?
Sylviana is a renewable-energy power plant.
Fuelled by biomass, it produces 168,000 MWh of electricity a year through a fully CO2-neutral process.
It uses forestry biomass sourced from within 100 km of Brignoles.
The wood is burned to produce heat, which is in turn transformed into electricity. The biomass power plant is a major player in the PACA region. Var is France’s second-largest forest area and remains under-utilized.
Sylviana is part of an effort to combat greenhouse effects by:
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Developing an energy mix with low carbon emissions.
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Contributing to France’s energy independence.
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Developing renewable and eco-friendly energies in the PACA region.
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Revitalizing the maintenance of forested areas in the PACA region.
Sylviana is a unique opportunity for the Idex group to round out its business portfolio with a green electricity production asset complete with a secure electricity purchase agreement valid until the end of 2034.
What are the benefits of biomass?
Biomass is the number-one source of green energy used in Europe. Biomass is made up of organic matter, primarily of vegetable origin. It has a neutral climate impact. The CO2 released into the atmosphere during combustion is balanced by that absorbed by the trees as they grow.
It is known as a renewable resource because biomass energy respects the renewal cycles of trees felled. It is one of the renewable energy sources whose energy conversion technology has been tried and tested over decades. Any technical issues have been resolved.
Industrial expertise in biomass supply
This operation is aligned with the group’s strategy of becoming a major player in the energy transition. Idex is committed to renewable heat production from biomass through its heating network activity, and has also developed considerable expertise in the supply of wood.
With this transaction, Idex, which is already a partner in operating the SITTOMAT waste-to-energy plant in Toulon, will become Var’s leading producer of green energy.
The unified teams from Idex and Sylviana will be able to take full advantage of our group’s expertise in the supply of biomass. The Var department boasts considerable forest resources, and the strong Idex presence locally will help to diversify the supply of Category A and Category B wood. Sylviana has vertically integrated the biomass supply chain, from forest to boiler, providing a template ripe for application to other Idex assets.
Key figures
168 000 MWh of electricity produced every year – enough to power 62,000 homes
180 000 tons of wood sourced from within 100 km of Sylviana
138 600 tons of CO2 a year saved, the equivalent of 53,000 fewer cars on the roads