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Gazonor, a subsidiary of FDE, signs a €5.8 million ESG loan with Arkéa Banque, confirming its virtuous activity in the Hauts-de-France region

28 November 2023

Pontpierre, France, November 28th, 2023 – FDE (Euronext: FDE – ISIN: FR0013030152), a carbon negative energy producer, announces that its subsidiary Gazonor has just received support from Arkéa Banque Entreprises et Institutionnels, a subsidiary of the Crédit Mutuel Arkéa group, with an ESG “Impulse” loan of €5.8 million.

This funding is dedicated to 100% ESG transition projects, covering the Group’s needs and accelerating its growth strategy

Gazonor is the main producer of gas and green electricity from abandoned mine methane (AMM) in France and Belgium. Through its 4 sites dedicated to AMM capture and electricity production, the Group valorizes this fatal gas in the former mining basins of Hauts-de-France.

Highly committed to environmental transition, FDE provides economically and ecologically competitive energy to residents, communities, and industries in the regions where the Group operates. FDE thus helps avoid more than 3.5 million tons of CO2eq per year, with a portfolio of 22.5 MW of installed electrical capacity, confirming its key role in the ecological transition of these countries. The goal by 2026 is to increase the installed capacity of electricity production to up to 100 MW and significantly contribute to carbon emissions reduction by avoiding the release of more than 10 million tons of CO2eq per year.

In line with its ESG approach, FDE has subscribed to an “Impulse” loan of €5.8 million from Arkéa Banque Entreprises et Institutionnels to strengthen its subsidiary’s activity through the refinancing of 4 cogeneration units in Lens and Avion with a total capacity of 6 MW. The funds can be deployed by the Group for its growth.

“Impulse” is based on a methodology and indicators that measure the positive impact of well-identified environmental and societal transition projects. The “Impulse” loan targets 42 transition objectives, each with an associated eligibility indicator. This methodology undergoes an annual review by an external third-party to ensure selection in line with transition challenges and market standards.

This loan also allows the Group to benefit from a reduced margin, in a sustained interest rates’ environment. This reduction is partially financed by the support of the “Kéréa Terme Impulse” investment, where investors seek both yield, security and ESG commitment.

A long-term partnership aimed at reducing France’s carbon footprint

Julien Moulin, President of FDE, declares: “The selection of our company for the Arkéa Banque Entreprises et Institutionnels ESG ‘Impulse’ loan reflects the strength of the Group’s development projects, the quality of its assets, and the tangible contributions to the economic, ecological, and social levels of FDE’s activities. The ambition and success of our Group allow us to obtain competitive long-term financing, achieve economies of scale, and partner with legitimate investors in the territories where the Group operates, such as Arkéa Banque E&I, to accelerate our growth strategy and consolidate FDE’s size and position as a producer with a negative carbon footprint.”

Romain Loiodice, Director of the Lille Business Center at Arkéa Banque Entreprises et Institutionnels, emphasizes: “We are particularly proud to accompany a major player in the energy transition like FDE. After being pioneers in democratizing impact credit, we have implemented a comprehensive ESG system and strengthened our offer with the ‘Impulse’ loan, entirely based on ESG criteria and the non-financial performance of a project. Our ambition, by 2024, is to allocate 50% of our annual production of medium-to-long-term credits to transition projects or structures committed to an ESG approach. The support of FDE is a perfect illustration of this and an example to follow.”

Partnership discussions are also ongoing for other project financings of the Group.

 FDE confirms its FY 2026 objectives of annual revenues of more than €100 million, and an EBITDA above €50 million, combined with over 10 million tons of CO2eq emissions avoided per annum

 Next announcements:

General Assembly Meeting FY2023: November 30th, 2023

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Promises won't impact
climate change.
Your local resources, will.

Climate change is an undeniable reality. We can already see its serious consequences for our planet. It is now urgent to act.

At FDE, we refuse to participate in initiatives that generate pollution beyond our borders, even if they reduce the carbon footprint of our local territories. Whether it is a question of carbon footprint or pollution, there are no limits.

It is our duty to build sustainable energy solutions that move towards global carbon neutrality. Today, the most resilient and sustainable energy solution is even more self-evident: it is imperative that energy remains local, within short supply chains, as close as possible to the needs of local communities and consumers.

Considering these, at FDE, we are taking actions and offering tailor-made, local multi-energy solutions.

By making the most of local resources, our offer enables us to provide territories with energies with a triple benefit: reduced carbon footprint, economically competitive and contributing to the socio-economic development of the area. We choose abandoned sites, make the most of the potential of local suppliers and service providers, and participate in a local center of expertise that involves universities, local authorities and associations in the local energy project.

FDE lacks neither the resources nor the know-how to deploy tailor-made energy solutions for everyone and for the planet.

Our engineers embrace the energy transition with a pragmatic view.

Recovering abandoned mine gas avoids fatal gas emissions into the atmosphere, while local coal gas reduces the need to import much more carbon-intensive gases. Abundant solar energy is both local and renewable.

To support the energy transition, at FDE, we are constantly innovating, looking for new solutions for the future, such as hydrogen, a decarbonized energy, or CO2 sequestration in coal.

In addition, all energy produced by our Group is designed to be more virtuous. All these processes therefore make FDE the only French energy producer with a negative carbon footprint.

HSE POLICY

In accordance with its values and code of ethics, and with the aim of pursuing the objective of:

  • Guarantee the integrity of our assets,
  • Ensure a safe and healthy working environment for its employees and subcontractors,
  • Guarantee the health and safety of all personnel working on and off-site,
  • Limit environmental impact.

 

FDE wishes to promote the following HSE principles:

Identify, prevent and control impacts and risks to health, safety, security and the environment,

Develop the company's activities in a sustainable and eco-responsible manner,

Improve the working environment for its employees and subcontractors.

Consequently, FDE undertakes to:

Ensure the rigorous application of regulatory procedures in force with respect to safety, health, environment and the preservation of public security,

Impose operational management with advanced criteria for environmental protection, pollution prevention and energy optimization, as part of the ecological transition,

Systematically verify compliance with HSE principles through audits and practical exercises, with the aim of continuously improving the system and its performance,

Define indices and performance indicators for monitoring HSE activities and promote benchmarking to identify areas for improvement,

Encourage employee participation and involvement in health, safety and environmental protection processes through training and creation of tools for sharing experience and knowledge.

This culture of risk prevention and control applies to all employees, partners and suppliers. It involves setting concrete objectives and deploying action plans as part of a continuous improvement process to better anticipate tomorrow's challenges. This policy is reviewed annually, as are the associated indicators and targets.

Antoine FORCINAL
Directeur Général,