French solar and wind power solutions developer Engie has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement with telecoms company Orange.
The agreement will see the development of two solar projects including L’Epine and Ribeyret located in the Hautes-Alpes region. These will have a combined energy generation capacity of 51MW and will become operational by 1 January 2023 at the latest.
In addition to the solar projects, Engie will aggregate all power produced under agreements made by Orange France. The utility will then “deploy a continuous energy strip” in an attempt to match the contracts to Orange’s actual consumption.
Engie France Renewables CEO Rosaline Corinthien said: “We are proud to work with Orange France on building a prosperous, sustainable and low-carbon future.
“This power purchase agreement contributes to increasing the share of renewables on French territory and thus contributes to achieving the ambitious objectives of the multi-year energy programme.
“This innovative contract illustrates Engie’s expertise across the entire renewable electricity value chain and our ambition to accelerate our clients’ energy transition.”
Under the agreement, Engie will combine all the renewable energy produced by the wind farms and solar plants for which Orange France signed a PPA.
Orange executive vice-president and Orange France CEO Fabienne Dulac said: “Reducing our environmental footprint is a major part of Orange’s strategy. By 2025, the group plans to reduce 30% of its direct CO? emissions compared to 2015 and reach an electricity mix made up of 50% renewable energy.”