Europe's largest floating solar system O'MEGA1. Image by: Akuo Energy.
French renewable power producer and developer Akuo has recently closed financing for two floating solar projects in France with a combined capacity of 19.3 MWp.
According to an announcement earlier this month, the company has secured funds for a 8.5-MWp project at Cintegabelle in Haute-Garonne and a 10.8-MWp project at Gouts in the Landes, both in the southwestern part of France.
The financing backers include Credit Mutuel Arkea, Caisse d'Epargne Aquitaine Poitou-Charentes, Helia Conseil and MAIF Transition.
Electricity supplier Plum Energie will buy the projects’ output under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
In 2019, Akuo brought live France’s first floating solar power plant, the 17-MWp O’MEGA 1 facility in Piolenc, Vaucluse department, which was then the largest in Europe. The plant was extended this year to 22 MWp.
The company says it has 200 MWp of floating solar in development, in financing or under construction in France. It sees large potential in the maturing floating solar technology and adds that in France alone the floating solar potential has been estimated at 10 GW.
