Background

Meridiam is partnering with Hydrogène de France (HDF) – a French company specialized in the development of hydrogen storage solutions – and the SARA – a French company specialized in the distribution of petroleum in French Guiana and the French Caribbean, to develop this innovative and flagship hydrogen-based project.
The Project consists of the development, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a power plant combining a photovoltaic (PV) plant with battery and hydrogen storage. The power plant will deliver a firm capacity of 10 MW from 8AM to 8PM and 3 MW between 8PM and 8AM. The plant will therefore generate nonintermittent renewable electricity in the North-West region of French Guiana, which faces an important increase in electricity demand on a geographically constrained territory.

Stage:

In Construction

ESG/SDG Key Facts

The project represents a major step in the deployment of a new generation of non-intermittent renewable power plants, therefore offering an alternative to fossil fuel with guaranteed power.
With the support of environmental and regulatory advisors, a detailed environmental study was performed to implement mitigation measures to reduce the environmental impact of the project.
An endowment fund “Mana Fund” has been officially created in January 2024 to the benefit of the municipality of Mana. The city will have €400k budget over 6 years and €100k budget over 12 years to develop new projects with high social impact. The first initiatives were developed during 2024, including the start of reconstruction of the old municipal maternity home.
A separate endowment fund “Prosperité Fund” is being created with the neighboring village to the project, following the partnership agreement concluded in Q3 2024. The statutes have been signed in October 2024. The endowment fund will aim to develop new projects with environmental and social impact for the village with an initial capital of €150,000 and an annual budget of €50,000 over 25 years. The Village association will also receive a dedicated budget of €100,000 to undertake road construction projects in their concession. Initiatives being studied include a road extension and development of hunting paths.
Furthermore, the CEOG project employed over 70 local workers on the construction site in 2024. Among them, approximately 30 individuals are engaged in apprenticeship roles, affiliated with the Departmental Federation of Rural Family Houses of Guyana (MFR) and a military program for socio-professional integration (RSMA).

SDG Achievements and Roadmaps

SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) – The Project will provide affordable clean energy to c.10,000 households in the Saint Laurent area in the context of a strong growth of population and energy demand.
The project is under construction, which limits its contribution to this Goal. Performance is expected to improve as construction progresses.

SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) – The Project will generate local durable employment by creating 200+ jobs during construction and 12 long-term jobs and providing strong educational/training content.

SDG 13 (Climate Action) – The Project will allow power production with significantly lower emissions than the local grid and help to avoid the release of 475,000 tonnes of CO2 while protecting air quality.