Independent power producer (IPP) Akuo Energy has started construction of a 17MW O’MEGA1 floating solar plant in France.
Image: A floating solar plant. Photo: Courtesy of SuwichaSokul/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
Akuo Energy stated this is the first floating solar plant in France and is located in Piolenc, Vaucluse, southeast of the country. This solar plant will be able to power 4,733 homes and will be deployed on 17 hectares of land and will help in curbing 1,093 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
This solar plant will include 47,000 solar PV panels will be deployed on the lake in the old Piolenc quarry and will be equipped with the latest generation Hydrelio by Ciel & Terre floating structure.
As per Akuo Energy, the floating PV plant can help in reducing conflicts over land use and will be installed on flood and irrigation overflow lakes, drinking water reservoirs, industrial pools, flood plains and quarry lakes.
As per the company, the O’MEGA 1 solar plant will operate within the framework of additional remuneration mechanism. Electricity generated from the plant will be directly sold on the markets via the E6 aggregator.
Natixis Energeco has provided €12.8m of finance for the project and has been the first bank in the country to have provided such a sum of non-recourse financing to a floating photovoltaic plant.
The French IPP company operates in 14 other countries around the world, with an aim to have a global production capacity of 3,500MW in 2022.
Akuo Energy president and co-founder Eric Scotto said: “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…!
“Through this communal project, we are operating as a global player in the energy transition and hope this plant will serve as an example to follow for our future projects. It is a source of great pride for us to be working hand in hand with all these players making this an exemplary project!”