TotalEnergies withdraws from Maya solar project in French Guiana amid new PPE priorities

TotalEnergies’ withdrawal from the Maya project highlights a strategic shift in French Guiana towards distribution and territorial balance, at the expense of solar production around Cayenne.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all the latest energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

For less than €3/week*

*For an annual commitment

*Engagement annuel à seulement 99 € (au lieu de 149 €), offre valable jusqu'au 30/07/2025 minuit.

The Maya photovoltaic project, led since 2019 by TotalEnergies in French Guiana, has been officially abandoned following the release of the revised multiannual energy programme (programmation pluriannuelle de l’énergie, PPE) for 2023–2028. The energy group’s decision comes as the strategic document sets a new direction focused on securing the power distribution network and geographically rebalancing infrastructure towards the western part of the territory.

Planned near Cayenne, the Maya project was to combine a solar power plant with storage capacity for a total output of 20 MW. Its cancellation is linked to the revised PPE’s lack of scheduled dispatchable generation projects around Cayenne. The document notes that the initially proposed capacity guarantees for the urban area are no longer deemed necessary, particularly given the ongoing construction of EDF’s 120 MW biofuel-powered plant in Larivot.

A territorial shift in energy project focus

The Collectivité Territoriale de Guyane (CTG) stated in the PPE that the primary goal remains to achieve 100% decarbonised electricity production by 2027 for coastal towns connected to the grid. However, the focus has shifted to the western part of the department, historically underserved in terms of energy infrastructure. In response, investment plans include doubling the existing high-voltage line serving Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, as well as building two additional substations in the area.

This redirection has drawn criticism from several private-sector actors. During the presentation of the PPE’s key orientations, Arnaud Flament, Director of Voltalia Guyane and representative of the Syndicat des énergies renouvelables (SER), pointed to a lack of consultation in drafting the document, stating it appeared mostly finalised and difficult to amend.

A strategy prioritising distribution over production

Alongside the geographical redistribution of priorities, the energy planning document emphasises network stabilisation, citing its fragility due to inadequate grid coverage. The new high-voltage line is scheduled for commissioning by 2033, as part of a broader investment effort estimated at €5.716bn by that deadline. This figure encompasses operating, maintenance and infrastructure development costs, shared between local authorities and private companies.

Despite the abandonment of the Maya project, the PPE maintains growth targets for the solar sector, with planned capacity of 150 MW by 2028 and 175 MW by 2033, up from the current 114 MW. Solar energy remains the segment expected to see the most significant growth within the Guianese energy mix, with no new hydroelectric developments or notable expansion of other sources foreseen.

Israeli group Shikun & Binui begins commercial operation of its first photovoltaic park in Romania, a 71 MW facility located in Satu Mare County.
Canadian Solar reported a gross margin of 29.8% in Q2 2025, exceeding expectations despite a net loss, amid delayed project sales and asset impairments.
Australian distributor OSW secures strategic funding to accelerate U.S. growth and deploy its digital solar project management platform.
According to the Energy Information Administration, solar will represent the leading source of new U.S. power capacity this year.
Two 13 MW solar facilities have been completed at the Fort Polk military site in Louisiana by Onyx Renewables and Corvias as part of a partnership to secure the site’s long-term energy supply.
Photon Energy Group reports quarterly revenue growth driven by solar technology trading, while profitability falls due to a weaker capacity market.
Two photovoltaic projects led by RWE were selected in a federal tender, with commissioning scheduled by the end of 2026, subject to permits.
The public utility Eskom launches a tender to sell long-term solar electricity via PPAs, directly targeting industrial players amid continued pressure on national energy security.
The Norwegian group Scatec strengthens its position in emerging markets with a marked increase in revenue and its portfolio of projects under construction.
The consortium led by Masdar has secured approximately $1.1 billion in financing to build one of the world’s largest solar power plants in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is financing the modernization of Enerjisa Enerji’s electricity distribution network in the Toroslar region, affected by the 2023 earthquakes.
Vikram Solar will supply 250 MW of high-efficiency solar modules to the Bondada Group for a project in Maharashtra, with deployment scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2025–2026.
Meta secures its energy supply in South Carolina with a 100-megawatt solar project led by Silicon Ranch and Central Electric Power Cooperative. The site will support the group's future data center in Graniteville.
SolAmerica Energy secures a $100 million revolving credit facility with Deutsche Bank to support its distributed solar assets in the United States.
Diamond Infrastructure Solutions grants Third Pillar Solar exclusive access to its Texas reservoirs to evaluate the potential for 500 MW of floating solar as part of a $700 million investment.
The Jackson County Solar project, valued at 125 megawatts, is expected to generate more than $70 million in direct economic impact for local communities in Michigan.
Empower New Energy commissions a solar power plant in Egypt for L’Oréal, completing a direct investment structured without debt and strengthening its market entry strategy in the African industrial sector.
Looser eligibility rules for U.S. solar tax credits triggered an immediate stock surge, easing investor concerns about potential regulatory tightening.
TCL SunPower Global entrusts the distribution of its solar panels to Energia Italia, thereby consolidating its presence in the Italian market within a context of strategic restructuring.
Weakened by the exclusion of its solar panels from the U.S. market, Maxeon reports a sharp revenue decline and adjusts its financial structure under market pressure.
Consent Preferences