BayWa, Lhyfe picked for solar-powered hydrogen project in France

• BayWa r.e. AG, the renewables service of German group BayWa AG (ETR: BYW6), today announced it will develop a 40-MWp solar-plus-storage plant in southwestern France as part of a project that has the potential to consist of green hydrogen manufacturing as well.

Complying with a call for expression of rate of interest (EOI), the Community of Communes of Haute-Saintonge has picked the BayWa service, along with French green hydrogen producer Lhyfe SA (EPA: LHYFE), to implement the project in the department of Charente-Maritime.

BayWa r.e. said it will certainly lead the development of the photovoltaic (PV) park as well as the battery storage space system, while Lhyfe will be in charge of the solar-powered green hydrogen component. BayWa r.e. has suggested that the regional authority buys the project throughout the growth stage and also later take a majority stake.

The firm kept in mind that the addition of green hydrogen manufacturing is dependent on securing local offtake and exercise opportunities. It acknowledges the potential for the outcome to be marketed to industrial gamers, regional authorities, associations or school and also city transport, within a 100-150 kilometres radius. A 1 year research study will be undertaken to confirm this potential.