WIND: THE CLEANEST COAL

Given the new doubts arising about geologic sequestration, its easy to understand why Big Coal is getting on board, just like all the other smart buyers.

Alstom enters wind power market with Spanish deal
June 26, 2007 (Reuters)

WHO
Alstom (CEO Patrick Kron), Ecotecnia

WHAT
Alstom, a French engineering group that builds coal, hydroelectric and nuclear plants, bought Ecotecnia, a Spanish manufacturer of wind turbines and solar panels.
Levelized means taking carbon costs into account. Now add the extra-carbon costs of the other energies, like health and water issue externalities, and wind is the obvious choice (click to enlarge)

WHEN
- Purchase announced June 26.
- Ecotecnia: 2007 sales of 300-350 million euros, operating margin of 7%.

WHERE
The announcement was made in Paris, where Alstom is based. Ecotecnia is based in Barcelona but 50% of its sales are in other European markets.

WHY
- The purchase price is 350 million euros ($471.1 million).
- This is Alstom’s first move into wind energy.
- Ecotecnia: 1,500 wind turbines installed/installing, generating 1,433 megawatts of electricity, 2% of world capacity.
if graphs are too confusing, maybe this will simplify the issue

QUOTES
Kron: "This acquisition, when completed, will consolidate Alstom's position as the company with the broadest and most complete range of products and systems in power generation…"