French Guiana launches 30 MW battery storage tender

France’s energy regulator (CRE) has launched a new tender to procure up to 30 MW of battery energy storage capacity in French Guiana, aiming to strengthen grid reliability and increase the integration of renewable energy in the overseas territory.

Project developers have until June 15, 2027, to submit bids. CRE has capped the procurement at 30 MW of battery storage with a two-hour duration, with projects to be ranked on economic efficiency until the target capacity is reached.

The regulator said battery storage plays a key role in France’s non-interconnected power systems, including its overseas territories and Corsica, by facilitating the integration of variable renewable energy while reducing overall system costs.

The tender will value several grid services, including energy arbitrage, primary frequency reserve, and inertia provided by rotating machines. However, synthetic inertia supplied through power electronics will not be eligible.

CRE highlighted the benefits of battery systems capable of providing primary reserve services around the Cayenne electricity network, noting they could ease operational constraints and reduce reliance on the Larivot thermal power plant.

The regulator will not reserve capacity for pumped hydro energy storage projects in this procurement. It said the decision reflects the absence of specific deployment targets for pumped storage in France’s draft 2024-2033 multiannual energy plan before the bid submission deadline.

Looking ahead, CRE said it will launch a new survey of pumped hydro projects before early 2027 to prepare future support schemes in other non-interconnected territories. It also plans to announce the terms of the next storage procurement for Mayotte during the first half of 2027.

From pv magazine France