Members of the public invest EUR250,000 in Budel solar farm

Budel, 14 June 2019: Almost 100 Dutch residents have invested in one of the largest solar farms in the Netherlands, raising EUR250,000 in just six weeks as part of a successful crowdfunding campaign. The funds, raised through Rabo&Crowd (a joint initiative between Rabobank and Nxchange), are to part refinance the 44 MW Budel solar farm, which already provides clean power to the equivalent of 12,500 homes, after being connected to the grid in November last year.

With investments starting from EUR500, the 96 new investors are made up of local residents of Cranendonck and members of the wider Dutch public, who can expect to receive interest payments every six months over a five-year term in exchange for their contribution. They join owners Encavis AG, an independent power producer, and Solarcentury, the global integrated solar power company, in addressing climate change and accelerating the transition to renewable energy in the Netherlands.

Later today, to celebrate the success of this project, an event at Budel solar farm will highlight how developers, provinces, financial institutions and citizens can work together to make a meaningful difference towards the country’s transition to a low carbon economy.

Evert Vlaswinkel, Benelux General Manager, Solarcentury said:

“The energy mix in the Netherlands is evolving every day, with solar becoming an increasingly popular choice for both investors and the wider public, thanks to the falling cost of new solar technology and growing demand to tackle the global climate crisis.

“As the Netherlands further develops its solar capacity, Budel solar farm is a great example of what can be achieved on a national scale; both in terms of producing significant amounts of renewable energy for the grid, while creating exciting opportunities for the general public to contribute to their country’s clean energy transition. This is just the beginning of opportunities for the public to invest in our low carbon future.”

Marcel Gerritsen, executive vice president Strategy & Innovation Rabobank, added:

“This solar farm really exemplifies our mission at Rabobank: Less impact on nature, grounded in society – ‘growing a better world together’. We are incredibly proud of this crowdfunding campaign, which not only demonstrates the opportunity solar provides for consumer investment, but also the public appetite for positive investments that deliver good returns while benefiting society and the environment.”

Dierk Paskert, CEO of Encavis AG added:

“We are pleased to show our commitment to the Dutch Energiewende by investing in Budel, the largest solar farm in our portfolio so far.”

The project was developed in collaboration with the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant and the community of Cranendonck, and is built on land previously used by the Nyrstar zinc smelter.

Greg Belland, General Manager Nyrstar Budel said:

“We’re proud to support one of the largest solar parks in The Netherlands. Besides the fact that we are one of the most energy efficient smelters, this park demonstrates our wider commitment to the transition to a sustainable future.”

2018 article: 44MW solar park begins production in the Netherlands

-ENDS-

For information please contact

• Nyrstar Budel: Buvens@Nyrstar.com Mobile +32 473 782 340
• Encavis AG: peters@encavis.com Mobile + 49 40 37 85 62 242
• Solarcentury: Simons@cffcommunications.nl Mobile +31 6 203 007 96
• Rabo&Crowd: Hoff@rabobank.nl Mobile +31 6 8328 9607

Notes to editors

2. CO2 savings over 25 years of 600,000 tonnes based on: 44,000 kWp size, 910 kWh solar electricity generated per kWp; 0.525kg of CO2 per kWh from national grid electricity mix in the Netherlands, over a 25 year project lifetime.
3. Power for 12,500 homes based on average annual household energy consumption of 3,500 kWh/yr.

About Nyrstar

Nyrstar is a global multi-metals business, with a market leading position in zinc and lead, and growing positions in other base and precious metals, which are essential resources that are fuelling the rapid urbanisation and industrialisation of our changing world. Nyrstar has mining, smelting and other operations located in Europe, the Americas and Australia and employs approximately 4,100 people. Nyrstar is incorporated in Belgium and has its corporate office in Switzerland. Nyrstar is listed on Euronext Brussels under the symbol NYR. For further information please visit the Nyrstar website: www.nyrstar.com.

About Encavis AG

Encavis AG is one of the leading independent power producers (IPPs) in the field of renewable energy in Europe. The company acquires and operates solar power plants and (onshore) wind farms in Germany and in nine other European countries. The total generation capacity of the Encavis Group is currently almost 2 gigawatts (GW). With its wind farms and solar parks, the company generates attractive financial returns, as well as very stable income irrespective of economic conditions. Encavis AG also provides institutional investors with the benefit of its many years of experience and market knowledge in the field of renewable energies. Within the Encavis Group, Encavis Asset Management AG specialises in the field of institutional investors. Encavis Technical Services GmbH is also the Encavis Group’s service unit for the technical management of solar parks. Encavis AG is listed on the regulated market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the regulated market of the Hamburg Stock Exchange (ISIN: DE0006095003 / WKN: 609500) and the SDAX of the German Stock Exchange. www.encavis.com.