On February 23, 2025, the Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, inaugurated the Kwita Wije power plant in Boulouparis, located in the Southern Province of New Caledonia. This facility, developed by Akuo, combines a 6-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic power generation system with a 3 MW/3 MWh storage unit, as well as an agrivoltaic greenhouse for vegetable farming.
An Advance in Energy Autonomy
The Kwita Wije power plant generates renewable electricity sufficient to meet the needs of 2,100 New Caledonian households, saving an annual 3,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂). The integration of storage ensures greater stability for the public electricity grid and allows the provision of green electricity during the evening, particularly between 6 pm and 8 pm, when demand is highest.
Funding and Local Involvement
The project was financed by the Caisse d’Épargne Île-de-France, the Banque de Nouvelle-Calédonie, the Akuo Carbon Fund, and through a crowdfunding campaign on the AkuoCoop by Lendosphere platform, which raised €770,000 from 266 investors. This initiative underscores public commitment to renewable energy.
Partnership with Local Communities
In addition to power generation, the project includes an agrivoltaic greenhouse operated by the Local Particular Right Groups (GDPL) Wiwa and Wije, representing two local customary tribes. This partnership provides protection from adverse weather for crops and ensures direct economic benefits for the communities involved.
Perspectives for the Energy Transition
New Caledonia has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2035, as outlined in the 2023 Energy Transition Scheme. The development of storage capacities, as demonstrated by the Kwita Wije plant, is crucial for increasing the integration of renewable energy and reducing dependency on fossil fuels, particularly in the metallurgical sector.
Future Projects in Boulouparis
Near Kwita Wije, Akuo plans to build France’s largest storage plant, capable of delivering 50 MW for 3 hours daily over a 12-year period. This project is expected to generate several dozen local jobs, contributing to the economic development of the Boulouparis municipality.
Pascal Vittori, Mayor of Boulouparis, stated: “This power plant and the upcoming project in Boulouparis are important because they generate jobs in Boulouparis, they supply energy to all of New Caledonia, and they have been built with the customary landowners of Boulouparis. It brings together clans and families, involving them in economic development and future prospects. It’s a model.”
