Statkraft is to buy electricity from three under-construction wind farms in France owned by Valeco under five-year power purchase agreements.
The projects are the 15.4MW Lavacquerie, 14.1MW Audincthuna and 11MW Belleuse, which are located in the Oise, Pas de Calais and Somme regions, respectively.
They are expected to come online between May and September this year.
Valeco will operate the wind farms from Montpellier, where the company’s operation centre is located, with technical support based in Amiens.
Statkraft will integrate the installations in its balancing group and will control them remotely to ensure the “automatic down regulation of production during negative price events”.
Statkraft business developer France Clement Perchat said: “We are very pleased to strengthen our partnership with Valeco, a key contributor to the energy transition in France, by concluding together three new power purchase agreements.
“Valeco was one of our first customers in France as we already provide a full market access solution for their Premont wind farm.
“With these new purchase agreements, recognised by the main financing banks, Statkraft contributes to the financing of new installations and facilitates the further expansion of renewable power in France.”
Valeco head of electricity sales Clemence Charlot said: “Direct selling of electricity to power markets is one of our new businesses for 18 months.
“We have various partners for the aggregation business. However, with the conclusion of these three new contracts, Statkraft becomes our main partner.
“To pursue the full integration of renewable power plants into the electricity markets, our ambition for 2019 is to sign a first corporate PPA.
“Regarding Statkraft’s broad experience in this matter, we also plan to start discussions on this topic.”