French Overseas Territory Gets Solar+Storage Project

• Total Quadran has completed phase 2 of the Helios Boulouparis project in New Caledonia
• It now has 16 MW of solar PV and nearly 10 MW of lithium-ion energy storage capacity
• The company claims this is the largest solar and storage project in a French overseas territory
• Engie EPS has installed a 5 MWh energy storage system on Lifou island of New Caledonia to help integrate solar and wind power generation for the island

New Caledonia in the South Pacific now has a 16 MW solar power plant with around 10 MW lithium-ion energy storage system (ESS), making the Helio Boulouparis 2 project the 'largest solar power plant with energy storage' in an overseas territory of France. Its commissioning was announced by Total.

Total subsidiary Total Quadran finished the project in two tranches with the first tranche online since 2017 by using a total of 58,000 solar panels. This project can cover the electricity needs of more than 21,000 local residents.

For the Helios Boulouparis 1 and 2 tranches, the company engaged the services of 200 people from local companies. In New Caledonia, Total Quadran has installed seven solar power plants with a cumulative capacity of 50 MW supplying clean power to some 140,000 residents.

Total acquired French renewable energy developer Vents d'Oc in August 2019 through Quadran and renamed the business as Total Quadran led by Thierry Muller (see Total Acquires French RE Player Vents d'Oc).

Another French energy player, Engie EPS has announced supplying a 5 MWh storage system for the Lifou 100% Renewable Energy by 2020 project. This system, to be located on Lifou island in New Caledonia, will be combined with solar PV and wind power generation.

The system of Engie will allow the island to disconnect its diesel power generators during the time when solar and wind power is amply available and will help Lifou achieve 100% renewable energy for the island.