French oil firm Total wins 131-megawatt solar tenders

- Company says solar plants will generate enough renewable electricity to cover needs of nearly 50,000 people

French oil and gas major Total has acquired a 20% stake in solar project tenders of 131-megawatt-peak (MWp) capacity.

The French energy group announced in a statement on Wednesday that more than half the capacities awarded fall under Total's program to solarize its industrial facilities and the reuse of industrial brownfield sites.

Among the sites is Total's future largest ground-mounted solar plant in France’s Valenciennes, which will supply green electricity to nearly 32,000 people when it comes on stream in 2022.

The 25 MWp solar plant near the Grandpuits, the largest photovoltaic power plant of the Greater Paris Region, was also awarded to French oil giant.

The company said the solar plant in Grandpuits would generate enough renewable electricity to cover the needs of nearly 17,000 people.

“Total Quadran [Total's subsidiary that is a part of the group's gas, renewables and power division] is proud to rank among France’s renewable energy leaders. The results of this call for tenders illustrate our ability to put together solid, competitive bids in an increasingly competitive environment,” Thierry Muller, general manager of Total Quadran, was quoted as saying in the statement.

“Total’s program to solarize industrial facilities by enhancing brownfield sites is a key factor in this success which we intend to carry on,” he added.

By Sibel Morrow

Anadolu Agency

energy@aa.com.tr