HDF, partners break ground on baseload renewable complex in French Guiana

French hydrogen technologies developer HDF Energy (EPA: HDF), investment fund Meridiam and petroleum operator SARA have launched construction of a solar park with batteries and 16 MW of electrolysers for green hydrogen production in French Guiana.

The so-called CEOG Renewstable Power Plant project is set to create a baseload renewable energy facility using hydrogen technology, HDF said on Wednesday. The complex will be capable of storing 128 MWh of power using long-term hydrogen storage and batteries for short-term storage.

HDF is the developer of the project, while Meridiam and SARA are equity shareholders alongside the French company. The partners will pour some USD 200 million (EUR 170.9m) to implement the scheme.

The Renewstable power plant will operate under a 25-year capacity-based power purchase agreement (PPA) with French utility EDF. Once operational, it will supply dispatchable power to around 10,000 homes.

Siemens Energy has been picked as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor. HDF will take care of supplying the hydrogen fuel cells, while a 16-MW electrolysis platform will be delivered by French hydrogen firm McPhy Energy SA. The annual output of the hydrogen facility, planned to go online in 2024, will be 860 tonnes.

According to HDF, the CEOG project is being replicated in around 20 countries globally. The company noted its identified pipeline is worth USD 3 billion.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.854)

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