Voltalia powers up 5.1-MW biomass plant in French Guiana

French renewable power producer Voltalia SA (EPA:VLTSA) said today it has brought online a 5.1-MW biomass plant in French Guiana.

The so-called Cacao facility, located in the commune of Roura, was designed and built by Voltalia, which will also take care of its maintenance. The plant is currently undergoing tests and once fully commissioned will start feeding electricity to the local power network.

The EUR-75-million (USD 92.1m) project is contracted for 25 years, with its output to be sold at a price that is lower than the one for power coming from existing diesel-fired thermal power plants in French Guiana. The biomass plant will use locally sourced wood waste as fuel and is expected to help save around 28,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually.

A battery storage component of 550 kW/250 kWh is planned to be installed at the site, as well, Voltalia said.

At present, the French firm owns three solar, two biomass and one hydropower plant in French Guiana, plus some 30 MW of energy storage facilities. Last November, Voltalia commissioned the 10-MW/13.6-MWh Mana battery facility that will be part of the Toco storage complex in French Guiana.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.228)

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