Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, has announced the sale of two standalone battery energy storage projects in France to BW ESS, a global energy storage owner-operator. The combined capacity of 200 MW / 800 MWh will provide flexible capacity to the French electricity system, according to The Battery Magazine.
The two projects
Baixas, Pyrénées-Orientales
Baixas is a 100 MW / 400 MWh standalone BESS project located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of southern France. It benefits from an advanced transmission-level grid connection position and limited expected network constraints.
Coquainvilliers, Calvados
Coquainvilliers is a second 100 MW / 400 MWh standalone BESS project, located in Calvados in Normandy. It also benefits from an advanced transmission-level grid connection position and strong grid fundamentals.
Division of roles
The transaction marks the first deal between Recurrent Energy and BW ESS, and BW ESS's entry into the French energy market. Recurrent Energy originated and developed both projects — covering land securing, grid connection, permitting and stakeholder engagement — and will lead them through the remaining development phase. BW ESS will then lead construction and commercial operation and intends to own and operate the assets long term.
Why France needs batteries alongside nuclear
France has a strong nuclear base but a growing need for flexibility as weather-sensitive demand and an evolving generation mix create more variable system conditions. Batteries can complement the nuclear backbone by providing rapid-response flexibility to balance the system, absorb surplus power, and make low-carbon generation available when most valuable.
That was the assessment of Erik Strømsø, CEO and Co-Founder of BW ESS, commenting on the rationale for the acquisition.
Dylan Marx, CEO of Recurrent Energy, said the projects demonstrate the company's BESS platform in France and that once operational they will provide flexible storage capacity to support grid stability, balance supply and demand, and facilitate further integration of renewable energy into the French electricity system.
Signals for the EU storage market
The deal points to two trends in the European battery market. First, project origination specialists are increasingly monetising developed pipelines by selling to long-term infrastructure owners, rather than building and operating assets themselves. Second, France — long regarded as a nuclear-dominated market with limited storage demand — is attracting international storage capital as its flexibility requirements grow.
The two projects' advanced grid connection positions are a key part of their value, given that transmission-level connection queues have become a binding constraint for battery developers across several EU member states.
Source: The Battery Magazine
This article was assisted by AI analysis. Please refer to the original source for official information.