French RE developer Voltalia has recently announced the commissioning of its Sable Blanc power plant combining solar photovoltaic production and battery energy storage in French Guiana. Developed entirely by the company, the hybrid project is claimed to benefit from a guaranteed sales price for 20 years.
The project boasts a solar energy capacity of 5 MW and battery storage capacity of 10.6 MWh. The photovoltaic production capacity will cover the equivalent of the electricity needs of 3,090 inhabitants of Western Guiana, according to Voltalia.
The lithium-ion batteries allow the electricity produced during the day to be injected after night fall, while improving the stability of electricity production in a region with high demand, the developer adds. These batteries also strengthen the Toco storage complex, which now has a capacity of 19 MW and 27 MWh.
With a strong presence in French Guiana, Voltalia currently operates solar, hydro, biomass and storage power plants with a combined capacity of 48 MW, covering almost 10 percent of the consumption of the main
electricity grid.
Globally, Voltalia has generating capacity in operation and under construction of more than 2.6 GW and a portfolio of projects under development representing total capacity of 14.2 GW.