Harmony Energy taps Tesla Megapacks for ‘France’s largest’ BESS

British battery storage developer Harmony Energy is set to deliver what they call France’s largest battery energy storage system (BESS)—the Cheviré battery project – using Tesla Megapack technology.

According to the company in a release, the project will mark a significant milestone for the French energy system, being the country’s first large-scale 2-hour battery.

The project will be located in Nantes Saint-Nazaire Harbour, on a site previously occupied by the Cheviré power station, which was operational from 1954 to 1986 and fuelled by coal, gas and oil.

The 100MW/200MWh large-scale renewable energy infrastructure will utilise Tesla Megapack and Autobidder technology and provide enough electricity to power an estimated 170,000 homes for two hours – greater than the population of the City of Nantes.

The project will also provide critical balancing services to the French electricity grid network and enable the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy.

Said Harmony Energy CEO for France Andy Symonds in a release: “Developing and operating vital battery energy storage facilities across France, will lead to enhanced energy security, more affordable energy bills, and the decarbonisation of the grid. We are excited to commence building works on our first project.”

Harmony Energy COO for France Clément Girard added: “It’s an exciting location given the historical importance of the fossil-fuel coal power station, but looking ahead, the delivery of the Cheviré BESS will transform the site into exactly the opposite, facilitating the green electrification of the French energy system, whilst offsetting several hundred thousand tons of CO2.”

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Tesla Megapacks leading the way

The announcement is one of the latest involving Tesla Megapacks. A day before, US clean tech company Intersect Power announced a contract with the energy storage and e-mobility market leader for 15.5GW of Megapacks through 2030.

Intersect Power plans to utilise over half of this new order of Megapacks for four projects in California and Texas expected to achieve operations by the end of 2027, including what will be some of the largest battery installations in the US.

The balance will be utilised in Intersect Power’s subsequent portfolio of solar + storage facilities, coming online in 2028-30.

“No one in the market can match Tesla’s depth of experience in storage technology,” said Sheldon Kimber, CEO of Intersect Power.

“This partnership is the foundation of one of the largest and fastest growing storage portfolios in the country here at Intersect Power. This storage franchise is the perfect complement to our multi-billion dollar expansion of renewable generation that is expected to more than triple the size of our company over the next three years.”

Intersect Power has 2.4 GWh of Tesla Megapacks in operation or under construction. This includes 1GWh in operation at the Oberon solar + storage facility and 448MWh in operation at the Athos III solar + storage facility in California.

Intersect Power is currently installing the additional 1GWh of Tesla Megapacks at its Radian and Lumina solar + storage facilities in Texas, which will be fully operational within the year.