ARCADIS develops largest landfill gas energy project in the world
The Bandeirantes project has been developed by ARCADIS Logos, the Brazilian subsidiary of ARCADIS together with co-shareholder Van der Wiel Stortgas BV and the Brazilian company Heleno Fonseca Constructéchnica. These three companies formed the joint venture BIOGAS that is responsible for the extraction of the biogas. BIOGAS has invested R$ 12 million (EUR 3.5 million) in this project and delivers the gas to the power plant, which is managed by a consortium under the guidance of UNIBANCO. The gas delivery is based on a 12-year contract that is valued at R$ 100 million (EUR 32 million).
The methane gas from the landfill is hazardous to the environment and contributes to global warming. By using the methane gas for generating energy, the equivalent of 8 million tons of CO2 will be saved. On the basis of the Kyoto Protocol, the joint venture will benefit from 8 million tons of 'carbon credits'. A part of this will be used to finance the improvement of the area around the landfill as a compensation for the nuisance from the landfill that the local people have been confronted with.
The energy plant was built in a record time of 3 months. ARCADIS Logos and Heleno Fonseca Constructéchnica previously have gained the concession for the extraction of the gas. Both companies have been working on the construction of the Bandeirantes landfill. Van der Wiel Stortgas BV has been asked to participate because of the experience they have in gas extraction. ARCADIS Logos designed the gas project, is responsible for the project management and for the development of the energy plant.
Harrie Noy, Chairman and CEO of ARCADIS says: "This is an excellent example of the design, build, finance and operate (DBFO) projects in which we are pursuing our strategic growth. We have taken the initiative from the early stages of development and contributed with our knowledge to the realization of the project. Because the selling of the energy is based on long-term contracts, risks are limited."
ARCADIS is a leading, global, knowledge-driven consultancy and engineering company, active in the fields of infrastructure, buildings, environment and communications. With client success central to our total business approach, we fulfill project or program needs from concept to completion and beyond. Together, we generate EUR 850 million in annual revenues. There are 8,500 of us, results-oriented people, continually investing in our skills to maximize value while creating viable solutions.
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks include, among others, risks associated with possible changes in environmental legislation and risks with regard to the Company's ability to acquire and execute projects. These and other risks are described in ARCADIS' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission over the last 12 months, copies of which will be available from the SEC or may be obtained upon request from the Company.
SOURCE: ARCADIS NV