94 Intrion realises its turnover mainly outside of <strong>Colruyt</strong> <strong>Group</strong> and has built up a strong portfolio of over 200 customers, especially multinationals. The company is mainly active in Belgium and its surrounding countries but at the customer’s request also throughout Europe and inter-continental. Developments In the past financial year, Intrion was taking preparations for a spin-off. In the course of the years, the engineering company’s activities had become increasingly far removed from retail, which is the core activity of <strong>Colruyt</strong>’s <strong>Group</strong>. At the beginning of 2011, the Board of Directors of Intrion decided about the ‘drivers’ for the exit from the group. Various takeover candidates came forward, but gradually the idea of a takeover by the management did start to ripen. The possibilities were examined by <strong>Colruyt</strong> <strong>Group</strong> together with external advisers. The Intrion management took over the assets, liabilities and the trading fund by means of a management buy-out on 1 April 2012. The new company ensured a smooth continuation, for the 120 employees, the suppliers and the customers. Intrion also developed sorting systems for the <strong>Colruyt</strong> <strong>Group</strong> for empty goods, a container washer and a fully-automatic order picker that set pallets of vegetable and fruit ready for the stores. The group will also continue to make use of the engineering services of the new Intrion company in the future. 3.4. Renewable energy - WE Power WE-Power combines all projects regarding energy care and sustainable energy production. The activity fits in with the group strategy to reduce its energy requirement in a sustainable manner. In 2011, the group generated more electricity from renewable sources than it consumed. WE Power grew from a supporting activity into an autonomous business activity directed at internal use. Solar energy When building or renovating stores and business premises, WE-Power systematically looks into whether solar panels are technically and economically feasible. It is important to note that <strong>Colruyt</strong> <strong>Group</strong> never installs more solar panels than are necessary for its own consumption. Wind energy <strong>Colruyt</strong> <strong>Group</strong> has submitted an application for a permit for six wind turbines in Beersel and Sint-Pieters-Leeuw together with Ecopower. The group also received a permit in the past financial year for two wind turbines in Halle, which will be built in 2012. WE-Power is also examining the feasibility of a number of additional wind parks onshore in Sankt Vith and other locations. The group also participates, together with external partners, in two wind parks off the Belgian coast: Belwind, which was started at the end of 2010, and the future wind turbine park Northwind. Belwind, the largest green electricity plant in Belgium, produces energy for 175.000 households and will be expanded in 2014- 2015 with another 55 turbines. <strong>Colruyt</strong> <strong>Group</strong> incorporated the holding Parkwind in the past financial year as a holding company for its participation in the offshore wind project Northwind. The funding of Northwind will be finalised in the first half of 2012 and the construction of the wind park will start in 2013. The 72 wind turbines will provide electricity to 250.000 households. Finally, the group is competing in a consortium for the seventh and last concession for a wind park on the Lodewijk bank (formerly the Bank without a name), where Northwind will also be built. Biomass The former Fraxicor, which produces electricity from animal waste fat was given a new name in the past financial year: ‘W-Cycle’. Due to the high fuel prices and the uncertainty regarding supporting mechanisms, the project has temporarily been discontinued, as was the case with regard to most installations in Belgium that produce green electricity from animal fats. Fermentation Already for a number of years, WE-Power has been fermenting the group’s organic waste, such as vegetables, fruit and bread that were not longer suitable for sale and meat scraps. This has taken place externally already for many years. In order to ferment the waste within the group, WE-Power is planning the construction of a fermentation installation next to the distribution centre in Ghislenghien. Participations Based on its expertise with hydrogen as a sustainable fuel for logistic uses, <strong>Colruyt</strong> <strong>Group</strong> is also participating in the ‘Factory of the Future’. This new concept of the Flemish government stimulates companies to produce in a sustainable manner. WE-Power is carrying out research into the use of hydrogen in every day applications and into fuel cells on hydrogen. In addition, WE-Power also participates in the NER 300 project of the European Commission. This project supports companies that invest in innovative renewable energy projects.
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