Rubis: Rubis Photosol, first-prize winner of CRE tenders, launches the construction of its largest photovoltaic project in France and accelerates its development in Spain

24 October 2023, 17:45 CET

RUBIS PHOTOSOL, FIRST-PRIZE WINNER OF CRE¹ TENDERS, LAUNCHES THE CONSTRUCTION OF ITS LARGEST PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECT IN FRANCE
AND ACCELERATES ITS DEVELOPMENT IN SPAIN

Rubis Group subsidiary Rubis Photosol was awarded 257 MWp of ground-mounted photovoltaic projects in the call for tenders from the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) and is thus able to launch the construction of a 200 MWp solar farm on the former Creil air base.

This success is a record since the start of calls for tenders in France in 2011. Within these projects, the Creil solar plant, second largest in France, will produce the equivalent of the annual consumption of 85,000 households.

Finally, Rubis Photosol is accelerating its development in Spain with the acquisition of three projects with a capacity of nearly 30 MWp that will produce the equivalent of the annual consumption of 20,000 households.

Winner of the CRE call for tenders

In the "ground-mounted photovoltaic plants" category, Rubis Photosol won 17% of the 1,519 MWp attributed in the fourth period of the CRE call for tenders. These projects will begin construction between 2024 and 2025. This significant market share confirms Rubis Photosol’s position as a leader in photovoltaic electricity production in France.

Creil photovoltaic project

Initiated in 2019 through a call for expressions of interest (CEI) led by the Ministry of the Armed Forces, the project enables the reconversion of the land of the former military base of Creil in the Oise department, totalling 253 hectares disused since 2016. Winner of this CEI, Rubis Photosol is developing this 200 MWp project on 147 hectares of land, the largest photovoltaic installation of the Ministry of the Armed Forces' "Place au Soleil" plan.
The job-creating project will produce 188 GWh annually (the equivalent of 85,000 households’ consumption) and will thus contribute not only to the achievement of the national objectives of the Multiannual Energy Programme, but also to the ambition of developing solar energy in the Hauts-de-France region. The investment for the construction of this plant is estimated at around €130 million.

Development in Spain

In line with its development strategy in Spain, Rubis Photosol announces the acquisition of three ready-to-build projects in the Alicante region (municipality of Algorfa). As soon as they are commissioned in the second half of 2025, these solar farms will produce the equivalent of the annual consumption of 20,000 households.
In addition, the pipeline of projects under development in Spain has reached 300 MWp.

Rubis Photosol thus strengthens its leading position in France and accelerates its development in Europe. Clarisse Gobin-Swiecznik, Managing Partner of Rubis, commented: "These projects illustrate the Group's strategy to develop in renewable energy production in order to reach at least 25% of its EBITDA by 2030. These successes reward the expertise of the teams and testify to Rubis Photosol's competitiveness in these growing markets. We are extremely pleased with these new developments, which will enable the Rubis Group to become a major player in the renewable energy sector in Europe. »

  
About Rubis Photosol

Founded in 2008, Photosol is one of France's leading producers of photovoltaic electricity. With over 384 MWp in operation and under construction, and 3.7 GWp under development, Photosol is positioned among the historic leaders in the solar sector. Specialising in ground-mounted, agrivoltaic, agricultural and tertiary rooftop installations, as well as parking lot shading, Rubis Photosol develops and installs projects that create value for their territory and for our partners.
Invested for the long term, Photosol teams design each installation to combine performance and sustainability, then ensure their operation and maintenance thanks to the expertise and proximity of our subsidiary Photom.
Keen to meet the challenges of decarbonisation and the integration of renewable energies into the power grid, Photosol is mobilising to deploy self-consumption solutions, long-term electricity resale contracts (PPA), electricity storage and green hydrogen production.
Since 2022, Photosol has been a subsidiary of the Rubis Group, whose ambition and financial strength are helping to accelerate the development of activities in France and abroad.

About Rubis

Rubis is an independent French group that has been operating at the heart of energy for over 30 years, driven by its mission to give as many people as possible access to reliable and sustainable energy. The Group meets the essential needs of individual customers in terms of mobility, cooking and heating, and supplies the energy required for the operation of industry and professionals in over 40 countries. Aware of the energy sector’s key role in combating climate change, Rubis is currently diversifying its business and offering towards less carbon-intensive solutions.
With around 4,500 employees across three regions (Africa, the Caribbean and Europe), the Group relies on a decentralised structure and operates its Energy Distribution, Renewable Electricity Production and Bulk Liquid Storage (joint venture) activities in close harmony with local requirements.
Rubis is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact.
For more information

1 In France, the Commision de Régulation de l'Énergie (CRE) is responsible for ensuring that competition operates smoothly, and issues calls for tenders for various installations and technologies (solar, wind, hydroelectric, etc.).

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• Rubis: Rubis Photosol, first-prize winner of CRE tenders, launches the construction of its largest photovoltaic project in France and accelerates its development in Spain