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France · asset class
Grid Storages in France
France has 9 grid storages mapped on the OverWatts open energy atlas — the 15th-largest fleet of the 58 countries that hold any, and 0.9% of the world's mapped total. Of these, 8 operating and 1 under construction or proposed. The largest is Grand Maison hydroelectric plant (1.7 GW).
The largest owner-operators are EDF Energy Ltd (7), Electricité de France SA (2) and Alpiq Suisse SA (1) — EDF Energy Ltd alone is named on 78% of them. Half of France's grid storages in service predate 1979 (median commissioning year of the 8 with a known date) and the oldest still listed is Pouget hydroelectric plant, dating from 1951. 1 is in the pipeline, led by Lac Noir Pumped Storage hydroelectric plant (55 MW), proposed. They account for 3% of every energy asset OverWatts maps in France.
On the interactive map
Largest grid storages in France
- Grand Maison hydroelectric plant1.7 GW · 1987
- Montézic hydroelectric plant910 MW · 1982
- Revin hydroelectric plant808 MW · 1976
- Super Bissorte hydroelectric plant742 MW · 1987
- Cheylas hydroelectric plant485 MW · 1979
- Pouget hydroelectric plant447 MW · 1951
- Coche hydroelectric plant384 MW · 1976
- Châtelard-Vallorcine hydroelectric plant260 MW · 1978
- Lac Noir Pumped Storage hydroelectric plant55 MW · 2031 · proposed
Who owns France's grid storages
- EDF Energy Ltd7 78%
- Electricité de France SA2 22%
- Alpiq Suisse SA1 11%
- Emosson (ESA)1 11%
Counts an asset once per company named as its owner or operator; a joint venture counts for each partner.
When they were built
- 1950s1
- 1970s4
- 1980s3
Median commissioning year 1979 · oldest Pouget hydroelectric plant (1951) · newest Super Bissorte hydroelectric plant (1987) · 8 of 9 carry a start date
Under construction & proposed
- Lac Noir Pumped Storage hydroelectric plant55 MW · 2031 · proposed
How France compares · grid storages by country
- 1. China401
- 12. Switzerland17
- 13. Portugal14
- 14. United Kingdom12
- 15. France9
- 16. Greece9
- 17. Poland8
- 18. Norway6
Frequently asked
- How many grid storages are there in France?
- OverWatts maps 9 grid storages in France — 0.9% of the world's mapped total, the 15th-largest national fleet of the 58 countries with any.
- What is the largest grid storage in France?
- Grand Maison hydroelectric plant, at 1.7 GW.
- Who owns the grid storages in France?
- EDF Energy Ltd is named as owner or operator on the most — 7 of 9 (78%). Next are Electricité de France SA (2), Alpiq Suisse SA (1) and Emosson (ESA) (1).
- How old are France's grid storages?
- The median commissioning year is 1979, across the 8 in service with a known start date. The oldest still listed is Pouget hydroelectric plant (1951).
- What new grid storages are being built in France?
- 1 project is under construction or proposed. The largest is Lac Noir Pumped Storage hydroelectric plant (55 MW).