EPC Group Secures Contract Exceeding €5M for a French Hydroelectric Plant
EPC Group has announced winning a contract worth over €5 million to construct an exploratory tunnel for the expansion of a French hydroelectric power station. This project is part of an energy storage initiative using pumped storage, one of the main infrastructures of its kind in France.
An Underground Works Contract for Energy Transition
The contract awarded to EPC Group involves the excavation of an exploratory tunnel and preparatory blasting work. This phase is crucial to confirm the geological and hydrogeological characteristics of the rock mass before the future expansion of the plant. The project, expected to last 24 months, aims to secure the design stages and refine the technical choices of the project. EPC Group will carry out this mission alongside a consortium of companies specializing in civil engineering works. The extension project will significantly increase the installed capacity of the site and is among the most substantial investments currently underway in the field of energy storage in France.
A Strategic Infrastructure for the Balance of the Electrical Grid
The facility is one of the main pumped storage power stations in the country and plays a major role in balancing the electrical grid. Acting as a hydraulic battery, this installation allows for the storage of electricity produced during low consumption periods and its rapid release during peak demand times. Pumped storage facilities account for about 90% of the world's electricity storage capacity and are crucial in supporting the development of renewable energies.
Strengthening EPC Group's Position in Major Underground Works
This contract highlights EPC Group's ability to leverage its expertise on complex projects with high technical value, in demanding environments where control of operations, safety, and performance are key criteria. The group thus confirms its position among the reference partners for major sustainable underground and energy infrastructure projects in France. Philippe Cappello, Director of Major Projects and Underground Works, stated: 'Together with our partners, we are proud to contribute to the first stage of this sustainable energy storage project in France. It provides the EPC Group teams with the opportunity to fully demonstrate their expertise in executing complex underground works in support of the energy transition.'
