Lightsource bp sets shop in France to pursue 1 GW solar pipeline

Lightsource bp, the UK-based solar developer half-owned by BP Plc (LON:BP), seeks to reach a total pipeline of 1 GW of large-scale solar projects in France by 2026 through a newly-established subsidiary in the country.

Lightsource bp France, based in Aix-en-Provence, will cover the entire lifecycle of the solar projects that will be developed, including initial site selection, financing, permitting, long-term management and electricity sale. The focus will be on ground-mount schemes.

The firm, which is currently in search of employees to cover 15 different roles in France, intends to participate in public tenders and offer corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) at competitive rates.

The new subsidiary will be headed by Raphael Colas. He said that the company will invest in projects at various stages of development.

"Some will be developed from scratch, others will be co-developed with partners. We will also invest in projects that are in the process of being appraised or that have already obtained all the necessary permits,” Colas explained.

France has pledged to integrate at least 100 GW of solar power capacity into its energy mix by 2050.

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