Together with the Moncada Energy Group, and through their joint company M&A Rinnovabili S. r. l., Alpiq has acquired a share in a windpark on the island of Sicily. Alpiq holds a 30 percent share in M&A Rinnovabili.

The 58-megawatt project should go live at the end of 2009

The 58-megawatt windpark will consist of 29 wind turbines each with a capacity of two megawatts. Each rotor will have a diameter of 90 metres and will be mounted on a mast at a height of 95 metres. M&A Rinnovabili intends to complete the project by the end of 2009. The 29 turbines will be connected to the existing 150 kV grid via a substation that will be newly built. The location of the Rocca Rossa windpark is in the middle of Sicily about 60 kilometres from Palermo and carries its name because of the ferrous red rock that is a feature of the local countryside.

With the participation in Rocca Rossa, Alpiq is increasing its presence on the Italian market and reinforcing its commitment to renewable energies. On the one hand the increased use of renewable energy is an inherent part of Alpiq's strategy and on the other, Alpiq has set itself the target of covering part of the requirement in Italy for what is known as Green Certificates (tradable Renewable Energy Certificates, RECs), by generation from renewable energy sources and participation in power stations. Alpiq has made this investment together with Moncada, a strong partner that has held a leading position in the sector for many years.