Saft and Axpo to deliver BESS in France
Two battery energy storage (BESS) projects awarded by Axpo to Saft, totaling 122 MWh, designed to provide energy arbitrage and ancillary services for the French grid
Saft, a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies and a global specialist in advanced battery energy storage solutions, has signed two contracts with Axpo, Switzerland’s largest producer of renewable energy and an international energy company, for the delivery of battery energy storage systems in France. The projects include the 92 MWh / 41 MW Orbec project in Normandy and the 30 MWh / 14 MW Bois Paillet project in the Centre-Val de Loire region, further strengthening battery storage capacity in the country.
The projects mark the first collaboration between Saft and Axpo and are a major milestone for both companies in France. As the country continues to expand renewable energy generation, large-scale battery storage is becoming increasingly important to provide the flexibility needed to maintain a stable and reliable electricity grid.
Under the agreements, Saft will deliver fully integrated BESS solutions for both projects. The Orbec project will comprise 18 Intensium® Flex battery containers delivering 92 MWh / 41 MW, while the Bois Paillet project will comprise 6 Intensium® Flex battery containers delivering 30 MWh / 14 MW together with power conversion equipment and advanced energy management systems. Deliveries are scheduled for early 2027.
Long-Term Battery Performance
Saft’s liquid-cooled battery technology enables intensive cycling and rapid response to changing grid conditions while preserving long-term battery performance. The systems will be supported by I-Sight, Saft’s digital monitoring platform, which helps optimize performance, maintenance and asset management throughout their lifetime.
Special attention has also been paid to local environmental requirements. To comply with strict noise limitations at the sites, the projects incorporate a range of mitigation measures, including low-noise operating modes, optimized cooling management, battery silencers and dedicated noise barriers.
A Comment From Saft
Vincent Le Quintrec, ESS Sales Director at Saft: “We are delighted to begin our collaboration with Axpo through these landmark projects in France. These projects are the result of strong teamwork and a clear alignment between Axpo and Saft from the outset. Combining ambitious delivery timelines with demanding technical requirements requires trust and close cooperation. We are proud to have reached this milestone together and look forward to moving into the execution phase.”
