EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Two battery energy storage projects totaling 55 MW/122 MWh will be supplied by Saft under contracts signed with Axpo in France. The Orbec and Bois Paillet facilities will support energy arbitrage and ancillary grid services using Saft’s Intensium Flex technology. Deliveries are scheduled for early 2027, marking the companies’ first collaboration.
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Saft, a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies and a specialist in advanced battery energy storage solutions, has signed two contracts with Swiss energy company Axpo to supply battery energy storage systems (BESS) for projects in France. The agreements cover a combined capacity of 55 MW/122 MWh across the Orbec project in Normandy and the Bois Paillet project in Centre-Val de Loire. The projects will support energy arbitrage and ancillary services for the French electricity grid, with equipment deliveries scheduled for early 2027.
The Orbec project will have a capacity of 41 MW/92 MWh and will incorporate 18 Saft Intensium Flex battery containers. The second project, Bois Paillet, will provide 14 MW/30 MWh of storage capacity using six Intensium Flex battery containers. Together, the two installations will add 122 MWh of battery storage capacity, providing flexibility to manage fluctuations in electricity supply and demand.
Under the contracts, Saft will deliver fully integrated BESS solutions for both projects. The systems will include battery storage equipment, power conversion equipment and advanced energy management systems. Saft’s liquid-cooled battery technology is designed to support intensive cycling and rapid response to changing grid conditions while maintaining long-term battery performance.
Both installations will also be supported by Saft’s I-Sight digital monitoring platform. The platform is designed to optimize system performance, maintenance activities and asset management throughout the operational lifetime of the battery storage facilities.
Environmental requirements have also influenced the project designs. To comply with strict site-specific noise limitations, the systems will incorporate low-noise operating modes, optimized cooling management, battery silencers and dedicated noise barriers. These measures are intended to reduce operational noise while maintaining system performance.
The contracts represent the first collaboration between Saft and Axpo, establishing a foundation for a potential long-term partnership. Vincent Le Quintrec, ESS Sales Director at Saft, highlighted the importance of teamwork and cooperation in meeting demanding technical requirements and delivery timelines.
Frank Amend, Axpo’s Head of Batteries & Hybrid Systems, described the projects as an important step in expanding Axpo’s battery storage portfolio in France. The installations will provide flexible storage capacity to support the country’s energy transition.
With deliveries planned for early 2027, the Orbec and Bois Paillet projects will contribute to France’s growing battery storage infrastructure, supporting electricity market participation and grid stability as renewable generation expands.