Start of production at the Cacao biomass plant in French Guiana

Voltalia (Euronext Paris, ISIN code: FR0011995588), an international player in renewable energies, announces that the Cacao biomass power plant in French Guiana produced its first kilowatt hours on December 17, 2020. Thanks to an investment of approximately €75 million, this biomass power plant produces carbon-free electricity sold at a price lower than the cost of Guyanese thermal power plants, while contributing to the Territory's energy autonomy.

"Renewable energies, which already account for 50% of Guyana's energy mix, are a key solution to meet the growing energy demand of Guyanese households. As such, biomass, which allows Voltalia to provide electricity continuously, is particularly suitable for the Territory where residues of the forestry activity managed sustainably by the NFB abound. I would like to thank the teams who were able to carry out this project despite all the constraints due to the health crisis," commented Sébastien Clerc, CEO of Voltalia.

The Cocoa Plant, located in the municipality of Roura, was designed and built by Voltalia, which also maintains it. With a capacity of 5.1 megawatts, it benefits from a contract with a guaranteed rate for a period of 25 years. Once the ongoing tests are completed, the generation injected into the public grid will be sold at a price lower than the cost of the thermal power plants in place in French Guiana, which run on diesel.

The plant will be equipped with a storage capacity thanks to batteries with a capacity of 550 kW / 250 kWh, making it possible to modulate the power of the plant extremely quickly and contribute to stabilizing the non-interconnected grid of French Guiana. This new battery brings Voltalia's storage capacity in French Guiana to 13.1 megawatts, where the Group has the largest storage complex in France.

Combining renewable energies and circular economy, without touching the primary forest

The Cocoa Plant operates continuously from the combustion of locally produced wood waste from forestry operations sustainably managed by the National Forestry Office (ONF) and sawmills. By recovering a fraction of the wood left abandoned in the forest and replacing diesel-powered solutions, the plant will avoid the emission of 28,500 tons of CO2e per year. In addition, the ashes resulting from the combustion of this natural wood will be made available to farmers in the area to promote soil amendment.

To optimize the maintenance of Cacao, Voltalia capitalizes on the know-how developed in its Biomass Plant in Kourou, in operation since 2009. The Cocoa Plant also contributes to the creation of 40 direct and indirect jobs and consolidates the activity of local companies in the wood sector.

Voltalia now has six renewable energy-based power plants in French Guiana (three solar, two biomass, one hydroelectric) as well as battery storage units, for a total installed capacity of 30 megawatts, making it possible to produce the equivalent of nearly 10% of the electricity consumed on the Guyanese coast.

Next appointment: Q4 2020 revenues on January 26, 2021

About Voltalia (www.voltalia.com)
Voltalia is an international player in renewable energies. The Group produces and sells electricity from its wind, solar, hydraulic, biomass and storage facilities. It has an operating and construction capacity of more than 1.3 GW and a portfolio of projects under development with a total capacity of 8.5 GW. Voltalia is also a service provider and supports its customers on a renewable basis during all stages of projects, from design to operation and maintenance. A pioneer in the corporate market, Voltalia finally offers a global offer to them ranging from the supply of green electricity to energy efficiency services, including the local production of its own electricity. With 994 employees in 20 countries on 4 continents, Voltalia has a global capacity for action for its clients. Voltalia is listed on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris (FR0011995588 – VLTSA) and is part of the Enternext Tech 40 and CAC Mid&Small indices. The company is also included in the Gaia-Index, the index of responsible average values.
VoltaliaInvestor Relations: [email protected] T. +33 (0)1 81 70 37 00Active Press Relations: Jennifer [email protected] T. +33 (0)1 56 88 11 11
  

Toco complex, see press release of November 16, 2020 The Cocoa biomass plant is designed for a capacity factor close to 90% The data cited correspond to the baseline scenario in CO2 equivalent, developed by the independent design office FRMi mandated by Voltalia Source: EDF SEI

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