The two companies decided to work together to study the possibilities of on-site power generation, both in Belgium and abroad, as well as to ascertain the best energy conservation solutions for Bekaert's activities.

 

The first phase of the partnership will be,  after obtaining the necessary permits, a wind turbine project on the Bekaert site at Zwevegem, whose power generation will be fully consumed by Bekaert.The construction is scheduled to begin at the end of 2011. Early in 2012, Bekaert will then start consuming green electricity generated at its own site. The same plan is being examined for the Bekaert sites abroad.

 

Thanks to this cooperation, Electrabel will further its desire to be more than a supplier to its customers. Electrabel, by providing Bekaert with solutions that are tailored to achieve energy efficiency, the rational use of energy, audits and energy production from renewable sources, will enable its customers to have better control over their energy costs. This move is part of the aim of Electrabel and the GDF SUEZ Group to develop reliable, high-performance and diversified production facilities featuring a balanced energy mix.

This type of partnership is also made possible thanks to the energy and energy services skills of all the GDF SUEZ Group subsidiaries.

 

This initiative is fully in line with Bekaert's sustainable development policy that accords priority to the environment, the rational use of raw materials and energy as well as the maximum use of renewable energy. The industrial partnership with Electrabel will boost energy-saving actions in which Bekaert has been investing for a long time, with the goal of controlling energy consumption at its plants and, consequently, reducing CO2 emissions from its production.