RWE Expands French Renewable Energy Portfolio with New Sourdun Solar Plant
RWE has expanded its renewable energy portfolio in France with the commissioning of a new solar plant in Sourdun, Seine-et-Marne. The 16-megawatt (MW) facility, coupled with a 4 MW battery storage system, will generate enough clean electricity to power approximately 9,000 French households annually.
Sourdun Solar Plant: Technology and Development
A significant addition to RWE’s French portfolio, the Sourdun solar plant uses 31,000 bifacial solar panels to maximize energy capture from both sides. Its integrated 4 MW/8 MWh battery storage system enhances grid stability by smoothing out intermittent solar generation and providing essential grid services. The battery allows stored energy to be dispatched during periods of peak demand or when sunlight is unavailable, ensuring a more reliable and consistent energy supply.
Since acquiring the project in 2021, RWE has worked closely with the local Seine-et-Marne community throughout its development. Construction began in September 2022, and the plant was completed and began generating electricity just one year later, in September 2023.
RWE’s Growing Solar Footprint in France
RWE continues to expand its renewable energy presence in France. The Sourdun solar plant is the company’s fourth operational solar facility in the country, bringing its total French solar capacity to 50 MW. RWE is also advancing France’s solar energy market through other strategic moves, such as recent acquisitions detailed in this report: RWE solar projects France: 2 Amazing Acquisitions Boost ….
The company is also developing other solar projects across France, including a 20 MW plant in La Grange du Causse and a 5 MW plant in Vauclerc, underscoring RWE’s ambition to become a global leader in renewable energy.
RWE’s Global Renewable Energy Ambitions, Including Solar France
RWE has committed to investing €50 billion globally by 2030 to significantly expand its renewable energy portfolio. By the end of the decade, the company aims for an impressive 20 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity and 10 GW of battery storage. This substantial investment highlights RWE’s commitment to advancing the global energy transition and meeting the rising demand for clean, sustainable energy solutions.
RWE Solar France’s Role in the French Energy Transition
France is actively investing in solar energy as a key component of its broader energy transition strategy. Solar power is now the second-largest renewable energy source in the country, following hydropower. By the end of 2022, France boasted an installed solar capacity of 17.6 GW, generating approximately 18.6 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. For a deeper understanding of the French solar market, consult this report: France Solar Panel Manufacturing Report | Market Analysis ….
The French government has set an ambitious target to meet 40% of the country’s energy needs with renewable sources by 2030. Solar energy will be crucial in achieving this objective, with substantial growth projected in the coming years. The Sourdun solar plant is a key development in France’s solar energy news, exemplifying RWE’s contribution to these national goals by demonstrating how investments in innovative solar and battery storage technologies can advance the energy transition in France and globally.
