BW ESS Buys Baixas and Coquainvilliers Storage Sites From Recurrent Energy

BW ESS, a global energy storage owner-operator, has acquired two standalone battery energy storage projects in France from Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ). The deal, announced on October 29, 2026, totals 200 MW / 800 MWh of capacity and is the first transaction between the two companies.

BW ESS Enters France With Two-Project Acquisition

For BW ESS, it represents an entry into the French market. The acquired assets are evenly sized. Baixas, situated in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, offers 100 MW / 400 MWh, while Coquainvilliers, in Calvados, matches that capacity at 100 MW / 400 MWh. Combined, the two projects will deliver 200 MW / 800 MWh of flexible capacity to the French electricity system.

Grid Connection Quality Drives Portfolio Value

According to Recurrent Energy, both projects hold advanced transmission-level grid connection positions. The developments were shaped around strong grid fundamentals, with very limited expected network constraints.

Recurrent Energy originated and developed both sites, handling land securing, grid connection advancement, permitting, and engagement with local stakeholders. The company described the sale as evidence of its capability to develop and monetize high-quality battery energy storage projects.

Workload Splits Between Developer and New Owner

The arrangement divides responsibilities across the project lifecycle. Recurrent Energy will steer the projects through the remaining development phase, relying on its local market knowledge, technical capabilities, and track record in delivering renewable energy and storage projects. After the remaining development milestones are met, BW ESS will take charge of delivery through construction and into commercial operation. BW ESS plans to hold and operate the assets over the long term.

Recurrent Energy Sees Room to Grow in France

Dylan Marx, CEO of Recurrent Energy, said the transaction with BW ESS demonstrates the company's capacity to create value by delivering high-quality BESS projects while staying closely involved through development and into commercial operation. In his view, the deal is a strong testament to the BESS platform the company has built in France and to its ability to keep scaling it.

Once operational, he stated, the projects will supply flexible storage capacity to support grid stability, balance supply and demand, and enable greater integration of renewable energy into the French electricity system.

Storage Framed as Complement to Nuclear Backbone

Erik Strømsø, CEO and Co-Founder of BW ESS, welcomed the partnership: "We are excited to work with Recurrent Energy through the next phase and to apply BW ESS' long-term owner-operator expertise as we bring these assets into construction and operation. Entering France is a significant milestone for BW ESS and a natural next step in the expansion of our global energy storage platform."

Strømsø said the acquisitions hand BW ESS an immediate 200 MW / 800 MWh platform in France and lay a strong foundation for a sizeable French portfolio. While France has a strong nuclear base, he pointed to a growing need for flexibility as weather-sensitive demand and an evolving generation mix produce more variable system conditions. Batteries, he argued, can complement the nuclear backbone by adding rapid-response flexibility to balance the system, absorb surplus power, and make low-carbon generation available when it is most valuable.

Deal Fits Busy Stretch for Canadian Solar Subsidiary

The sale lands amid sustained momentum for Recurrent Energy. In recent months, the company reached commercial operation at the 200 MWp Villameca solar project in Spain, with roughly 1 GW of Spanish solar capacity expected to be in operation by year-end.

It also earned ISO 14001 certification for its operations and maintenance services, closed $695 million in project financing for the 330 MW Cobalt Solar project in California, and started powering the Carwarp Energy Park in Australia under a long-term power purchase agreement with Microsoft.