Netherlands-based renewable energy project developer Econcern has set up a €425m investment fund to finance six to eight new projects.

Projects already being considered for the fund, called Ampere, include a Belgian and British off-shore wind park, a silicone factory in France and a biomass power plant in Groningen.
News of the fund was announced on Wednesday during the presentation of Econcern’s 2006 figures. The company booked a 500% rise in turnover to €240m and a 650% increase in profit to €43.5m. Econcern chairman Ad van Wijk said he wants to double turnover this year to €500m.