Envision Energy secures first battery storage contract in France

China’s Envision Energy has been selected by Kallista Energy to deliver a 120 MW/240 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Saleux, northern France. The project represents Envision’s first independent storage contract in the French market and signals its continued European expansion.

The lithium iron phosphate (LFP) system will support frequency regulation services on France’s transmission system operator RTE’s reserve markets, leveraging Envision’s integrated direct current (DC), alternating current (AC), and power conversion systems. Construction of the facility will begin in June 2025, with Envision also committing to a minimum 14-year long-term service agreement (LTSA) to ensure continued technical support and operation after project commissioning.

The system will include 44 DC units and 22 AC units, designed to deliver grid stability services essential for integrating variable renewable energy sources. The battery cells will be supplied by AESC, a Japanese-headquartered battery manufacturer. AESC’s recently launched 10 GWh Gigafactory in Douai, located in the same Hauts-de-France region, began production in June 2025 and will provide localized supply for the Saleux project.

“This partnership with Kallista Energy is a significant milestone as we expand our European footprint,” said Henry Peng, Senior Vice President and President of Latin America and European Region at Envision Energy. “The Saleux project underscores our commitment to delivering fully integrated, scalable, and safe energy storage solutions that accelerate the transition to renewables and strengthen grid resilience.”

Frédéric Roche, President of Kallista Energy, emphasized the role of energy storage in enabling deeper penetration of renewables: “We must overcome the misconception that electricity cannot be stored. The Saleux project is another step toward building a robust ecosystem that integrates renewable power without compromising grid reliability.”

The Saleux BESS follows a string of recent European project wins for Envision Energy. In May 2024, the company secured the 300 MW/624 MWh Cellarhead project in the UK. Two months later, it became a long-term partner of Field, supplying a 50 MWh system for the Whitebirk site. By August, Envision was awarded contracts for two additional UK storage projects totaling 110 MWh for Arlington Energy.

With demand for energy storage accelerating across Europe, Envision’s entry into the French market positions it to compete in a growing segment essential to the continent’s net-zero ambitions. The company’s latest French venture benefits from both regional manufacturing and long-term service capabilities—key differentiators as utility-scale storage becomes a central pillar of grid infrastructure.

As France ramps up its renewable energy deployment under national and EU climate targets, grid flexibility from battery systems like Saleux will be critical to managing intermittency and ensuring stable electricity supply.