Voltalia starts building 10-MW energy storage system in French Guiana

French renewable power producer Voltalia SA (EPA:VLTSA) has commenced construction work on a 10-MW/11.3-MWh energy storage system in French Guiana.

The so-called Mana Stockage facility will consist of a 5-MW/4-MWh unit that helps regulate the frequency of the network and a 5-MW/7.3-MWh unit, to be used for daily arbitrage. Both are part of the larger 12.6-MW/14.2-MWh Toco storage complex, which also includes a 2.6-MW/2.9-MWh battery system coupled with a 3.8-MW solar plant.

Mana Stockage is the main winner of the French Commission for Energy Regulation (CRE) call for projects that was held last year. The equipment has a 10-year remuneration contract that will become effective once the battery units are commissioned. This is expected to happen early next year, Voltalia said.

CRE estimates that the 11 contracted projects will help avoid over EUR 370 million (USD 416m) in extra production costs over the next 25 years, according to the announcement.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.124)

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