French oil giant Total SA and energy, water and environmental
services group Suez said Wednesday they plan to invest EUR45
million to boost output substantially at their Belgian solar cell
manufacturing venture.
Production at the plant would thus rise to 140 megawatt potential by 2009 from the current 80 MWp.
The companies Wednesday inaugurated a new EUR30 million
production line at the venture, called Photovoltec, which took output
to 80 MWp from 20 MWp.
Total Chief Executive Christophe de Margerie told reporters
at inauguration ceremonies that his company's priorities for investing
in energy sources other than oil and gas are solar energy,
second-generation biomass, clean coal and "then, one day, nuclear"
power.
He said Total's experience is "more adapted to solar" than
wind power. Suez is in the midst of merging with state controlled Gaz
de France (1020848.FR) to form a French electricity and gas champion.
It is versed in wind power, having recently bought a majority stake in
Compagnie du Vent.
Total and Suez each own 47.8% of Photovoltec, with the
Interuniversity Microelectronics Center, holding the remainder. Chief
Executives De Margerie and Suez's Gerard Mestrallet, also present at
Wednesday's ceremonies, said they plan to continue investing equally.