Voltalia SA, the Paris-based renewable power plants operator, has announced the successful commissioning of its 5-MW Parc Sable Blanc solar farm in French Guiana, along with an integrated 10.6-MWh lithium-ion battery storage facility. The project was secured by Voltalia in a government tender for solar projects in non-interconnected zones (ZNIs) in May 2021, with the contract for the plant's output guaranteed for 20 years.
Located in the Mana commune, the photovoltaic (PV) farm will generate 7,430 MWh of electricity, which will be sufficient to power roughly 3,090 inhabitants of Western Guiana. The battery storage facility, situated within Voltalia's Toco energy storage complex, will help to stabilise the local grid during periods of high demand. The Toco energy storage complex is one of the largest facilities of its kind in France, with a capacity of 19 MW/27 MWh.
Voltalia currently operates 48 MW of solar, hydropower, biomass, and energy storage assets in French Guiana. The construction of Parc Sable Blanc began in November 2011, marking a significant milestone in the company's efforts to increase its renewable energy portfolio in the region.
With the commissioning of this project, Voltalia continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable energy solutions in the Caribbean and Latin America, while also contributing to the development of the local economy and improving the standard of living for the people of French Guiana. The company's efforts in this regard will undoubtedly inspire other players in the renewable energy sector to follow suit and invest in similar projects that will drive the world towards a greener and more sustainable future.
