Lightsource bp celebrates two years in France

With a 700 MW solar project pipeline, our team in France is committed to actively contributing to a sustainable future powered by solar energy.

Global solar leader Lightsource bp, is celebrating two years of presence in France. Since entering the French market, Lightsource bp has expanded rapidly, establishing its team of 25 employees in 9 regions across France to lead its solar projects in the country.

Drawing on the skills of this team of solar photovoltaic and agrivoltaic professionals, Lightsource bp France has all the necessary expertise to develop sustainable AgriPV projects, in line with the Renewable Acceleration Act law passed in March 2023. The Lightsource bp team in France is actively progressing a 700 MW solar project pipeline across various regions, including Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Occitanie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Centre-Val de Loire, Pays de la Loire, Grand Est, and Hauts-de-France.

Reliable, competitive, cost-effective and with rapid deployment capabilities, solar energy offers huge potential for decarbonisation and has its place in the energy mix to help achieve carbon neutrality. Leveraging its successful global track record and experience in utility-scale solar development and financing, Lightsource bp aims to establish itself as a major agrivoltaics player in France. Our aim is to make an active contribution to the growth of solar energy in the country, with a target of 1 GW of solar photovoltaic projects in the portfolio by 2026.

Kareen Boutonnat, CEO of EMEA and APAC at Lightsource bp comments:
“I’m immensely proud of our team in France and to see the great strides they are making in just two years. Lightsource bp is now active across 19 markets and we have a track record in fast starts and project execution. In France, our aim is to be a leader in solar energy by drawing on our experience and expertise in the photovoltaic industry. These are complementary to the ambitions of the Renewable Acceleration Act, and we can work with the public authorities and our local stakeholders to speed up the development of solar power in the country.”

Raphaël Colas, Head of Country for France at Lightsource bp
“In France, we have built up a strong team of solar experts who work hard every day to develop our project pipeline, which now stands at 700 MW and is set to reach 1 GW of solar capacity by 2026, the equivalent of approximately 280,000 homes supplied with electricity. We can leverage on Lightsource bp’s track record, which has been developing and financing solar projects around the world for more than 10 years. We are therefore in a position to operate our projects with agility, efficiency and full autonomy to become a leader in agrivoltaics in France and a trusted partner that contributes to the necessary development of low-carbon and affordable energy, in line with the ambitious target of 100 GW of solar energy by 2050 set by the public authorities.”

Franck Tiravy, Head of Country bp France
“I was delighted to meet the French Lightsource bp team in Paris recently and was impressed by their level of experience and dynamism. Through our growth engines, bp is transforming to become an Integrated Energy Company. Next to biofuels and EV chargers, the development of our solar energy production will be critical to meet our net zero ambition in France and globally.”