- This project is a tangible example of Rubis’ strategy to develop projects in sustainable and decarbonized energies by entering into the production of non-intermittent renewable electricity.
SARA (Société Anonyme de la Raffinerie des Antilles, Rubis Group) and its partners Meridiam and Hydrogène de France (HDF) are launching the construction of the Centrale Électrique de l’Ouest Guyanais (CEOG: Western Guiana power plant).
This project, located in the commune of Mana, is currently the world’s first multi-megawatt hydrogen power plant as well as the world’s largest project for the storage of intermittent renewable energy via hydrogen (128 MWh of stored energy). CEOG anticipates the future of renewable energies by eliminating their intermittency through industrial-scale storage.
This power plant will produce 100% renewable electricity from solar energy and water to supply the equivalent of 10,000 homes in Western Guiana 24 hours a day, year-round, at a lower cost than the territory’s diesel power plants. CEOG will avoid the combustion of 12 million liters of diesel per year and the emission of 39,000 tons of CO2 per year compared to an equivalent thermal power plant[1]. Operating in total autonomy, CEOG will also secure the electricity supply of the Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni area in case of failure or maintenance of the electrical network.
The plant will provide stable electricity without emitting greenhouse gases, fine particles, noise or smoke. The solution developed by HDF, called Renewstable(R), makes it possible to produce locally the electricity needed locally.
This electricity will be supplied by a combination of a photovoltaic park and long-term, mass energy storage in the form of hydrogen, coupled with short-term battery storage. It will be injected into the Guianese electricity grid and its production will be covered by a 25-year capacity contract with EDF (Électricité De France).
Construction will begin this autumn and the plant is scheduled to be commissioned in April 2024. It will generate a turnover of around 17 million euros for local companies. During its 25 years of operation, CEOG will create permanent, skilled jobs in Western Guiana, in addition to those created during its construction. CEOG is 60% owned by Meridiam, 30% by SARA (Rubis Group) and 10% by HDF. French manufacturers McPhy and HDF will supply the electrolysers and fuel cells respectively. The French-German consortium Siemens Energy SAS and Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG will be the manufacturer and operator of CEOG.
“This long-standing collaboration with HDF allows us to offer a new, sustainable and affordable energy alternative to our customers.” Clarisse GOBIN-SWIECZNIK, Managing Director of Rubis SCA
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