Akuo Energy starts construction on 17MW floating solar plant in France

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Credit: Brasken and Ciel & Terre

French renewables IPP Akuo Energy has started construction on a 17MW floating solar project in Piolenc, Vaucluse, southeast France.

Louis Driey, mayor of Piolenc, said: “The finalisation of this project is the result of many years of battles with the authorities to convince them of the value of this groundbreaking idea of a floating solar plant, the first – and currently only – such plant in France. The materialisation of this technological prowess that we have supported from the outset will make Piolenc the first 'positive energy' town in France, producing more energy than it uses”.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The O’MEGA1 project, spread across 17 hectares, will supply power to the equivalent of 4,733 homes once operational. It will include 47,000 modules installed on a lake at an old Piolenc quarry. It will also include the latest generation of the Hydrelio floating structure from French floating PV specialist Ciel & Terre. Akuo Energy is the manufacturer and exclusive distributor of the Hydrelio product in France.

This project will also be built by EPC provider Bouygues Energies Services.

Akuo Energy has opened up the project’s capital to local people. Thus the municipality of Piolenc has decided to invest alongside local residents to cash in on the project’s profitability.

Eric Scotto, president and co-founder of Akuo Energy, added: “For Akuo Energy, O’MEGA1 is the culmination of a number of firsts: first floating solar plant in France, first time the Group has opened up a project’s capital to individuals and a municipality, first bank financing for floating solar.”

Natixis Energeco provided €12.8 million in financing for the project and according to Akuo energy, this makes it the first bank in France to provide non-recourse financing to a floating PV plant.

Read Next

January 22, 2025
TSE has raised €100 million (US$104.5 million) to support the development of seven new solar projects, with a combined capacity of 120MW.
January 20, 2025
Round-up of news from China with Saudi Arabian power developer ACWA Power partnering with two Chinese companies, state-owned China Energy Engineering wins bid to develop a floating solar (FPV) project in the Philippines and Guodian Power invests in 2GW Saudi PV project.
January 17, 2025
Emirati state-owned renewable energy project developer Masdar has entered the Philippines market with plans to develop 1GW of solar PV, wind and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
January 15, 2025
The acquisition is part of the company’s plan to invest over €1 billion (US$1 billion) in French clean energy by the end of 2025.
January 15, 2025
The potential of floating solar (FPV) generation capacity on US reservoirs is estimated at up to 1TW, according to a study from the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Premium
January 10, 2025
Nicolas Rochon and Mathilde Ketoff tell PV Tech Premium that ensuring strong margins are of paramount importance for the rooftop solar sector.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
February 4, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
February 17, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
February 19, 2025
Tokyo, Japan