France: TDF Secures its Electricity with Neoen

In France, Neoen announces the signature of a solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with TDF.

A 15-year plan

In France, Neoen signed a PPA for 62MW with TDF, the digital infrastructure and network operator. This is the first corporate PPA that Neoen and TDF have signed in the country. In addition, the contract has a 15-year term.

From January 1, 2026, TDF will purchase the electricity and guarantees of origin produced by the Salernes and Boussès solar farms. The solar park of Salernes is located in the department of Var and will have a power of 16,8MW. The Boussès solar park is located in the Lot-et-Garonne region and will have a capacity of 45.1MW.

With this PPA, TDF secures the energy supply for a significant part of the electricity consumption of its sites. The electricity produced will supply the company’s telecommunications and audiovisual broadcasting sites in France. In addition, the initiative is part of TDF’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.

An annual production of 83GWh

Neoen is developing the two solar parks in consultation with the local authorities and stakeholders in the respective areas. Construction of the Salernes and Boussès sites should begin in 2023. The Salernes plant will be operational in 2024 and the Boussès plant in 2025.

The two solar parks will have an annual production of approximately 83GWh. In addition, Neoen will own and operate the two sites in France. Guillaume Decaen, Director of Development France of Neoen, France, says:

“We are delighted to announce the signing of our first corporate PPA in France and we would like to thank TDF for the trust they have placed in us. With nearly 1.3 GW in operation or under construction, we were already the leading independent company for tenders in France. The strength and depth of our project portfolio provides a solid foundation for our growing ambitions in the enterprise APP market.”

Olivier Huart, Chairman and CEO of TDF, said:

“We are proud to enter into this flagship partnership with Neoen, a key French player in renewable energy. Optimizing our energy consumption and integrating new sources of energy supply are priority areas for reducing our carbon footprint. More than ever, the urgency of the environmental challenges and the energy crisis we are facing are forcing industrial players like TDF to rethink their energy needs and consumption. It’s a question of sustainably transforming our habits and the way we consume energy, as well as our uses.”

In addition, the Boussès park will lead to the restoration of a degraded forest environment with many diseased trees. Thus, 86.2 hectares of healthy trees will be used in a reforestation process on a wasteland.