Nouméa, December 16, 2025 - Akuo, French renewable energy producer, announces the launch of the construction of one of the largest electricity storage facilities in France, in New Caledonia. Once it is operational, the facility will be capable of delivering 50 MW each day for three hours throughout the scheduled duration of the contract (12 years). To do this, Akuo is currently installing over 200 MWh of storage capacity in the municipality of Boulouparis, in the South Province of New Caledonia’s main island.

Stabilize the network and enable a better penetration of renewable energies in the island’s electricity mix

The facility is scheduled to come online in the third quarter of 2027. By storing the electricity during the day and reinjecting it during evening period of peak demand, the storage facility will make optimum use of the solar electricity generated in accordance with the island’s requirements. With an effective capacity of 150 MWh*, the facility will cover the equivalent of Nouméa’s power consumption for around three hours. A network regulation tool, it will also enable a highly reactive response to be provided to frequency and voltage variations, as well as the use of grid-forming technology, which means it will be able to establish the network and restart it if there is a blackout. All these features will thus strengthen the network’s stability and facilitate the integration of a greater percentage of renewable energies in New Caledonia’s energy mix.

The Akuo group’s established presence in the municipality of Boulouparis

The Akuo group is very familiar with the region where the project is being implemented. Indeed, the group already runs three solar farms in New Caledonia, including one in Boulouparis – the Kwita Wije photovoltaic plant (6 MWp) – which is itself backed by a storage facility (3 MW/3 MWh). Moreover, Akuo is supporting a social coffee resale store project run by the Boulouparis Solidarité charity association, via the installation of an educational greenhouse designed to promote food self-production among local residents. Furthermore, Akuo group staff regularly organize educational visits of the Kwita Wije plant and run workshops on renewable energies for younger audiences.

Further ramping up of renewable energies in New Caledonia

New Caledonia’s government is conducting a proactive policy targeting a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, according to the archipelago’s energy transition plan (“Schéma de Transition Energétique de la Nouvelle Calédonie”) adopted in August 2023. The plan is all the more ambitious given that it requires an accelerated decarbonization of the metallurgical sites, which account for two thirds of the island’s electricity consumption, and the substitution of at least 50% of the fossil energy used in the nickel sector with renewable energy by 2035. The development of storage capacity, by enabling as many renewable energies as possible to be integrated into the power network, is the cornerstone that will allow New Caledonia’s energy transition to be implemented.

A public-private partnership supporting New Caledonia’s energy transition

The funding round brought together Caisse d'Epargne Ile-de-France, Banque de Nouvelle-Calédonie, the AFD (Agence Française de Développement), Banque Calédonienne d'Investissement and BPI France. The Wiwa and Wije groups subject to specific local rules (“Groupements de Droit Particulier Locaux”, GDPL), representing three local customary tribes, are also involved in the project. The inclusion of these communities in the project’s shareholding structure will allow these customary tribes to reap the economic benefits throughout the facility’s operational life.

Lastly, this project is eligible for two tax exemption mechanisms. Local tax exemption, specific to the tax measures put in place by the New Caledonian government, helps encourage investment and economic development on the island. The project has already been approved by the tax authorities, and local tax investors will provide their funds in December 2025. French national tax exemption arrangements (LODEOM), meanwhile, will enable investors in mainland France to participate in the project’s financing through to its commissioning. Within the framework of the contract signed with Enercal (New Caledonia’s electricity grid management company), the tax assistance will reduce the costs borne by the network.


Bruno Bensasson, the Akuo group’s CEO, says: “Akuo is delighted to have completed this project’s development and financing, within a sometimes-complex political context, and to now be in a position to initiate its construction. We are fully committed to this success: we know to what extent this storage battery will play a key role in strengthening the proportion of renewable energies in New Caledonia’s electricity mix. Its commissioning will help accelerate the production of green electricity to allow the mining industry’s transition to sustainable sources of energy. Our teams and their partners are already focused on giving their very best and bringing this ambitious project to fruition”.