Eiffage Énergie Systèmes installs a solar plant in French Guiana for the CNES and the ESA

Two solar farms, PV1 and PV2, are already in operation at the launch base, both connected to Guiana Space Centre’s 20 kV power loop. Their combined output directly powers the centre’s facilities, reducing reliance on diesel generators and purchasing electricity from EDF. This initial level of energy self-sufficiency paves the way for the broader ambitions of the Hyguane programme, whose ecosystem is set to deliver the first flight of the Ariane 6 launcher powered by low-carbon hydrogen.

A solar farm used for green hydrogen production

Unlike its predecessors, PV3 will be entirely dedicated to powering an electrolyser that will produce low-carbon hydrogen locally to meet 10 to 15 per cent of Ariane 6's annual propellant requirements — hydrogen used for the launcher’s main engine and second stage. Furthermore, this green hydrogen production will provide electricity for the fleet of heavy goods vehicles that Guiana Space Centre intends to acquire for its launch operations logistics. This system replaces the current steam reforming of methanol process, which is particularly energy-intensive and emits CO₂, and which may also involve avoid the transport of methanol by sea to French Guiana.

A multi-trade construction project

The project involves several of the Eiffage Group’s entities in consortium with German company MT Aerospace, in line with the geographical return principle specific to European space programmes:

Eiffage Énergie Systèmes : Consortium representative, responsible for the design, supply and installation of 50 Hz inverters, electrical infrastructure design and supply (low-voltage distribution board, low-voltage distribution system, etc.) and connecting panels to the mains supply.

Eiffage Infrastructures Guyane : Civil engineering design, earthworks, civil engineering works and concrete bases for steel tables.

MT Aerospace Guyane : Steel structure supply and installation; PV panels.

Upcoming energy synergies

The PV3 facility is part of a wider programme to electrify Guiana Space Centre. It is to be coupled with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to smooth out peaks in consumption, as well as with EV charging points — connected or not to dedicated solar shading designed to power them — for the site’s growing fleet of light electric vehicles. Plans for the PV4 and PV5 solar farm projects are already being considered to further harness French Guiana’s solar potential.

A strong signal for the European space sector’s low-carbon future  

“Our division not only excels in the development of decarbonisation systems but also in the electrical processes at the Guiana Space Centre, thanks to our specialist subsidiaries. Being awarded this contract once again confirms the trust placed in us by the CNES and ESA,” stated Pascal Conrath, Chief Commercial Officer for Space at Eiffage Énergie Systèmes. PV3 also illustrates the growing importance of environmental requirements in the space sector, where reducing the carbon footprint is becoming a performance criterion in its own right.