Corsica Sole and Evecon to install 400 MWh of batteries in Estonia in 2025
In the press
Independent solar energy producer and one of the pioneers of energy storage in France, Corsica Sole and its Estonian partner Evecon, the leading renewable energy developer in the Baltic States, have announced the installation of 400 MWh of batteries in Estonia by 2025.
This partnership consolidates Corsica Sole’s position as one of Europe’s leaders in energy storage: after setting up the European Union’s largest storage plant in Deux-Acren, Belgium, Corsica Sole is continuing its expansion into the booming Eastern European market with the support of its Estonian partner Evecon, through the Baltic Storage Platform joint venture.
Batteries for energy security
Against a backdrop of strong growth in renewable energies across all European Union countries, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and strengthening energy independence, energy storage is now seen as an essential tool: it helps to stabilise the electricity grid by contributing to the management of the balance between production and consumption.
Evecon, an Estonian renewable energy developer renowned for its expertise in developing solar and wind projects (securing land, obtaining building permits, connecting to the high-voltage electricity grid), has joined forces with Corsica Sole, a pioneer in energy storage in France and island territories, for its expertise and know-how in financing, implementation and operation of large-scale storage projects.
These two players are joining forces in the ‘Baltic Storage Platform’ joint venture to build and operate high-capacity battery storage plants connected to the electricity transmission grid. These batteries will be located at two sites and will be commissioned in 2025. The two projects have a total power output of 200 megawatts and a total capacity of 400 megawatt-hours, which is equivalent to the average energy consumption of 90,000 Estonian households, or the energy equivalent stored in 7 million smartphone batteries!
The connections for the future battery parks are already being built by Elering, the Estonian electricity grid operator, and the projects will be operational by 2025. Construction of the first park in Kiisa will begin in the spring of next year, and the second park in Arukulä will begin in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Corsica Sole and Evecon committed to a major transformation of the Baltic States’ electricity grid
The Baltic States are scheduled to disconnect from the Russian electricity grid, which has ensured the stability of the grid until now, in early 2025. The Baltic countries’ electricity system will be weakened when it is disconnected from this grid and synchronised with the European continental grid. Batteries will therefore play a crucial role during this transition period.
At a time when Estonia is preparing to experience an unprecedented situation with the fundamental transition of its electricity grid.
Corsica Sole is proud to support the country through its collaboration with Evecon. We share the same entrepreneurial spirit, and this partnership undoubtedly strengthens our desire to establish our expertise in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania while contributing to the security and quality of electricity supply to consumers. Thanks to our battery projects, which are the cornerstone of electrical systems, we will be able to effectively support the Baltic countries in their long-term energy transition.
As one of the largest solar energy producers in the Baltic States and a leading provider of renewable energy solutions in the region, we have found Corsica Sole to be the best possible partner thanks to its expertise in island territories and the similarities with our network. This allows us, as a rapidly growing energy company, to move to a new pan-European level.
The announcement made on Friday 17 November at a press conference in Tallinn, attended by Estonian and French media, was welcomed by Kristen Michal, Estonian Minister of Energy and the Environment, who said that the emergence of backup and storage capacity in Estonia was good news, and that it was particularly welcome that it was being provided by private companies.
Emmanuel Mignot, French Ambassador to Estonia, after pointing out that France is the country’s second largest investor in the technical field, added that ‘this was a historic moment for Estonia and that he was very happy to be witnessing it’. He is delighted that a French company is able to make a very concrete contribution to the country’s energy sovereignty and security.
