Sweden’s largest utility-scale solar park is now in operation. The Hultsfred project, jointly developed by Neoen and Alight, has an installed capacity of 100 MWp and is located at the airport of this town in Småland, southern Sweden.

Connected to E.ON’s local distribution grid, the facility comprises 174,000 low-carbon photovoltaic panels installed around the airport’s runway. It is expected to generate around 100 GWh of renewable electricity annually, equivalent to the consumption of 18,000 Swedish households. During construction, the project created up to 120 jobs and delivered community benefit initiatives, including a public artwork and sponsorship of a local children’s sports club.

The solar park is backed by a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) signed in 2022 with the H&M Group, which will receive 95% of the renewable energy and guarantees of origin produced. The deal plays a key role in the fashion retailer’s strategy to source 100% renewable electricity by 2030 at the latest.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the French ambassador to Sweden, Thierry Carlier, highlighting the project’s strategic significance for Franco-Swedish cooperation. French and Swedish companies were represented at all levels of the project: from financing, provided by Danske Bank, to construction, carried out by Equans Solar & Storage and Solkompaniet.

For Neoen, this is its fourth asset in Sweden, bringing its total capacity in the country to 304 MW, combining solar, wind, and large-scale storage technologies. “The Hultsfred solar park is an important milestone for our company and for Sweden’s clean energy transition,” said Laetitia Prot, Managing Director of Neoen Sweden.

Warren Campbell, CEO of Alight, emphasized that the project demonstrates the feasibility of developing large-scale unsubsidized solar power in Sweden. Martin Höhler, CEO of E.ON Energidistribution, added that the facility is vital to strengthening fossil-free electricity production in southern Sweden, where demand is growing rapidly.

“This solar park represents an important step in our global strategy and reflects our long-term commitment to Sweden,” concluded Xavier Barbaro, CEO of Neoen, noting that the company has invested nearly €200 million in the country since 2020.