(Munich) - The Munich-based BayWa re AG will build a ground-mounted solar system and battery storage system in France together with the French hydrogen producer Lhyfe. Part of the project is the production of green hydrogen, provided “local purchase and use options are confirmed,” the company explained. The location is the municipality of Haute-Saintonge in the Charente-Maritime department in the southwest of the country.
BayWa re is developing a 40 megawatt photovoltaic system for this purpose. The annual yield is forecast at 52 gigawatt hours. Lhyfe is responsible for building a green hydrogen production facility powered by solar power. The energy source can be sold within a radius of 100 to 150 kilometers to industry, companies, municipalities, associations or local transport. The capacity of the battery storage was not mentioned.
According to BayWa re, it has offered that the municipal district participates in the project during the development phase and becomes the majority shareholder during the construction and operation phase. “The financial benefits arising from this investment would be in addition to the economic and tax benefits following the implementation of the solar park,” the company said.
First announcement in June
However, the announcement that has now been made is not completely new. The French BayWa subsidiary had already informed about the project two months ago.
Accordingly, at the end of 2021, the Community of Communes de la Haute-Saintonge (CDCHS) published a call for the development of a solar park on the site of the Pôle Mécanique de la Haute Saintonge race track in the Charente-Maritime department, where, in addition to racing events, driving and road safety training is also offered become.
At the time, it was announced that Lhyfe would “carry out a study, in close collaboration with the community association, on sales opportunities in the region with a view to building a hydrogen production plant”. Environmental studies would begin this year. Subject to official approvals being granted, construction of the photovoltaic system could begin in 2026.
Photos
The BayWa Spitalhöfe solar park in Pfaffenweiler (Villingen-Schwenningen, Baden-Württemberg) went into operation in May. The installed capacity is 7,27 megawatts, and the annual yield is forecast at eight million kilowatt hours. © BayWa re
