Alpiq acquires 200 MWh French BESS project from Harmony Energy

Lausanne-headquartered Alpiq has acquired a massive BESS project in France from UK-based developer Harmony Energy as it seeks to expand its flexible asset portfolio.

The 100 MW/200 MWh Marronniers project is located in the department of Oise, north of Paris, and scheduled to be commissioned in 2026.

Lukas Gresnigt, head of international and member of the executive board of Alpiq, said the investment in the French BESS project underlines the company’s strategy of expanding its flexible asset portfolio in its core markets to enable the integration of variable renewable energy as well as its committment to the French market where it has a strong position in supplying energy to commercial and industrial customers. 

Operating in France since 2002, the Swiss electricity producer and energy service provider is the fourth-largest supplier of electricity and one of the main gas suppliers, with more than 25 TWh of energy delivered to French customers in 2023.

As part of its strategy, Alpiq plans further investments in BESS in France, Switzerland, Germany and the Nordics. In June, the Swiss electricity producer and energy service provider announced the acquisition of a 30 MW BESS project in Valkeakoski, southern Finland. That project is currently under construction and scheduled to go into operation in summer 2025.

In addition to BESS, Alpiq is evaluating investments in other flexible and storage assets in the markets in which it is currently active, the company said on Monday. 

For Harmony Energy, the transaction is an important step in expanding its footprint within the French energy market, where it is already developing another flagship BESS – the 100 MW/ 200 MWh Cheviré project.

Unveiled earlier this year, the Cheviré project was announced as the first large-scale, two-hour duration battery in France. The project located in Nantes Saint-Nazaire Harbour, on a site previously occupied by the Cheviré power station, which was operational from 1954 to 1986 and fuelled by coal, gas and oil, will employ Tesla Megapack and Autobidder technology.

Andy Symonds, CEO of Harmony Energy France, said that the developer has big aims for France and that the sale of its Marronniers project will help it reinforce its platform for future BESS and solar developments and operations in the country.

“The acquisition by Alpiq is another example highlighting the increasing demand for efficient energy storage solutions right across Europe, providing the flexibility required across the networks to facilitate the large-scale integration of renewable energies,” Symonds said.

Harmony Energy has already developed and energised three large-scale BESS projects in Europe, all of which are featuring Tesla Megapack and Autobidder technology.

Outside of Europe, the company has also been active in New Zealand. Today, Harmony Energy has a global pipeline of 13,485 MW of renewable energy projects and 634 MW already in operation.