BayWa r.e. and Octopus Energy have secured new corporate power purchase agreements (CPPAs) with French railway operator SNCF Voyageurs to provide over 100 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of solar energy annually. These agreements, lasting 25 years, are aimed at supporting SNCF’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and transition to renewable energy sources. The solar power will be generated by two facilities located on former military sites in the Centre-Val de Loire and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions, projected to produce a total of 2.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) of green electricity during the contract period.
The two solar power plants involved, Greenberry and Fontenet 3, are being developed and constructed by BayWa r.e., with Octopus Energy participating through its Sky fund. Richard Fécamp, Director General of SNCF Énergie, emphasized the significance of these agreements, noting that they are a crucial part of SNCF’s aim to source 40 to 50% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2030, with a target of 20% coming from CPPAs. The anticipated production from these projects is enough to power approximately 15,500 Paris-Rennes TGV trains each year.
This marks a significant first for both BayWa and Octopus in the French market. The deal builds upon SNCF’s earlier agreements with renewable energy firm Neoen, which involved the provision of 137 GWh per year from a 111 MW solar capacity starting in 2026. In addition, SNCF Renouvelables has set a solar power development goal of 1 gigawatt by 2030, aiming to utilize empty land and rooftops within the organization.