The largest BESS in France and a debut on the Japanese market
Neoen will build the largest energy storage facility in France in Vernou-la-Celle-sur-Seine, with a capacity of 496 MWh. At the same time, the company announced its entry into the Japanese market with the 100 MW Ako project. Both investments, with a combined capacity of nearly 1.1 GWh, will be carried out in cooperation with the Japanese conglomerate Nidec. The announcement coincided with the official visit of the French president to Tokyo, highlighting the strategic importance of cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy transition.
Vernou-la-Celle-sur-Seine
The Vernou-la-Celle-sur-Seine project will reach 200 MW of power, with construction scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026. The system is expected to achieve full operational readiness in 2028. The storage facility will be connected directly to the 400 kV transmission grid operated by RTE. The investment plays a key role in stabilizing energy supply in the Île-de-France region. Neoen is also emphasizing strong cooperation with the local community through:
- Establishing a dedicated social dialogue committee before construction begins.
- Funding local projects that support sustainable development.
- Implementing an energy voucher system to help residents reduce their electricity bills.
- A long-term, 20‑year service contract with Nidec.
Expansion to the East
In parallel with its activities in France, Neoen has launched the construction of the Ako BESS (100 MW / 400 MWh) in Hyogo Prefecture, in the Kansai region. This marks a breakthrough entry into the Japanese energy market, which—after years of systemic isolation—is opening up to foreign operators with large‑scale storage technology. Securing a grid connection agreement from Kansai Electric Power Company, in cooperation with partners such as Equans and Toho, confirms the strong technical credibility of the French operator. For Neoen, this is the twelfth joint project with Nidec. Together, the companies have surpassed the 1 GWh milestone in their shared storage portfolio. Neoen currently manages 2.8 GW of storage capacity across Australia, Sweden, Germany, and El Salvador.
Industrial Synergy and Technological Partnership with Nidec
The cooperation with Nidec has both technological and economic dimensions. Components for the French storage facility will be manufactured at the plant in La Fouillouse. Using local production capacity shortens supply chains and strengthens Europe’s capabilities in BESS technologies. This approach enables:
- Optimization of logistics costs for large‑scale installations.
- Precise adaptation of control systems to specific grid requirements.
- Effective battery life‑cycle management under the supervision of the manufacturer.
- Faster integration of renewable energy sources into national power systems.