BW ESS has acquired a portfolio of two battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in France from Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, with a combined capacity of 200 MW of power and 800 MWh of energy storage.

The transaction, announced on October 29, 2026, marks BW ESS's entry into the French market, which becomes the seventh country in which the company operates.

Both projects are at an advanced stage of development and have secured grid connection positions on the electricity transmission network. However, they must complete the remaining development procedures before construction can begin.

Under the agreement, Recurrent Energy will continue leading the development of the facilities until they reach ready-to-build status, after which BW ESS will take responsibility for construction and subsequent commercial operations.

Two projects with 100 MW and 400 MWh each

The acquired portfolio consists of two standalone battery storage facilities located in different regions of France.

The first project, Baixas, is located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France and will have 100 MW of power and 400 MWh of energy storage capacity.

The second, Coquainvilliers, is located in the Calvados department in Normandy and will also provide 100 MW of power and 400 MWh of storage capacity.

Together, the two facilities will deliver 200 MW and 800 MWh, equivalent to four hours of discharge at full rated power.

According to Recurrent Energy, both projects have advanced transmission grid connection positions and have been developed at locations where grid constraints are expected to be limited.

The company has so far been responsible for securing land, progressing grid connection procedures, managing permits and maintaining relationships with local authorities and communities.

Both projects will be developed as standalone battery energy storage systems, meaning they will not be directly connected to a specific renewable power generation facility.

Recurrent Energy to continue development as BW ESS takes over construction

Although the portfolio sale has been announced, Recurrent Energy will remain involved throughout the next development phase.

The Canadian Solar subsidiary will be responsible for completing the remaining procedures and preparing the assets for construction.

Once they reach that stage, BW ESS will take responsibility for construction, commissioning and operation, with plans to retain long-term ownership of the facilities.

The transaction represents the first agreement between the two companies.

BW ESS has not disclosed the financial value of the acquisition or a specific timeline for construction or commercial operation.

According to figures provided in its announcement, the company currently has an international storage portfolio comprising more than 540 MWh of operational battery capacity and approximately 12 GWh under construction or in pre-construction.

Its activities span the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden and, following this transaction, France.

The 800 MWh portfolio will support flexibility in France's electricity system

The acquired facilities are designed to help manage imbalances between electricity generation and consumption.

Battery energy storage systems can absorb electricity during periods of greater availability and discharge it back into the grid when demand increases or generation conditions change.

They can also provide rapid-response services and contribute to electricity frequency stability.

According to the companies, the Baixas and Coquainvilliers projects are intended to address flexibility requirements in the French electricity system and support the integration of renewable generation.

Erik Strømsø, CEO and co-founder of BW ESS, explained that the acquisition establishes an initial platform of 200 MW and 800 MWh in France, from which the company intends to expand its domestic portfolio.

Meanwhile, Dylan Marx, CEO of Recurrent Energy, noted that the transaction forms part of the company's strategy to develop BESS projects while remaining involved in the stages preceding commercial operations.

The sale allows Recurrent Energy to transfer ownership of two projects developed in France while retaining technical and development responsibilities until they reach ready-to-build status.

With this acquisition, BW ESS adds 800 MWh of planned battery storage capacity to its French project portfolio. However, this capacity is not yet installed or operational, and its deployment remains subject to the completion of development procedures and construction.