Long-term investor group White Summit Capital (WSC), which specialises in energy transition infrastructure, has announced the purchase of a strategic stake in Solatom, adding to the creation of a new investment platform to finance and operate solar thermal projects for industrial customers across Europe.

Solatom is a Valencian company that specialises in concentrated solar heat (CSH). It has patented technology to provide sustainable and cost-effective thermal energy solutions, primarily for industrial applications. Under the agreement, WSC will establish an investment platform that will finance, own and operate projects developed and built by Solatom.

An efficient alternative
The solution created through this partnership will provide the industry with an efficient alternative to conventional fossil fuels. The formula will make it easier for customers to implement renewable heating solutions without having to bear the significant upfront costs of construction.

Solatom's patented Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector system generates clean and cost-effective thermal energy through steam and high temperature water for industrial applications. It is a space-saving and scalable modular design. It can generate a wide range of average temperatures, from 90 to 450ºC, with applications ranging from boiling and pasteurisation to cleaning and drying, distillation, nitrate melting and compression.

Solatom's technology is experiencing growing industrial demand, particularly from the food and beverage industry. The company has built projects totalling more than 100 million euros and over 100 megawatts in Spain, Europe and Latin America. One of the most renowned is the installation of four megawatts of thermal power for the Heineken factory in Valencia.

Power purchase agreements
The Swiss group has designed a tailor-made structure to finance the construction of ready-to-build projects developed by Solatom. Through this platform, WSC will own and operate assets through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs).

WSC's head of investment management, Amaia del Villar, explained that the partnership "enhances our ongoing strategy to support proven energy transition initiatives that are ready to scale and align with global sustainability goals," and added, "Our goal is not only to boost Solatom's capabilities, but also to accelerate the implementation of CSH in all industries and markets."

Solatom's executive director, Miguel Frasquet, said, "The partnership with WSC will expand our market reach by accelerating the growth of our PPA product, which is crucial to our ability to deliver a compelling customer-centric solar solution for industrial steam generation."

^{Photo: White Summit Capital}