Total has signed an agreement with Belgian minerals producer Lhoist to co-develop solar photovoltaic power plants totalling 83MW.
Total Quadran and Lhoist will co-develop the projects at 11 of Lhoist’s sites in France.
Four of the plants will enable Lhoist to self-consume the solar electricity generated on site.
The power plants will collectively feature more than 194,000 PV panels and will be built and operated by Total Quadran.
Before construction, the PV plant projects will be presented at the next Calls for Offers from the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) to obtain a feed-in tariff and will be commissioned by 2023.
Total Quadran has won 20% of the volumes at the last Call for Offers.
The electricity produced by the 81MW of capacity will meet 70% of Lhoist’s electricity consumption in France.
As part of this co-development partnership, Lhoist will be able to reduce the carbon intensity of its products.
Total Quadran managing director Thierry Muller said: “These multi-site projects in partnership with a major industrial player will contribute to the achievement of the group’s objectives of 35GW of production capacity from renewable sources by 2025.
“The development of these solar power plants will make it possible to pool the expertise of the two groups in order to promote their rapid commissioning.
“Total Quadran and Lhoist do not refrain from opening this partnership to other sites in France and other geographical areas at global level.”