Saft, a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies and a global specialist in advanced battery energy storage solutions, has signed two contracts with Axpo, Switzerland's largest producer of renewable energy and an international energy company, for the delivery of battery energy storage systems in France.

The announcement, made in Paris on October 6, 2026, covers two projects totaling 122 MWh that were awarded by Axpo to Saft. The projects mark the first collaboration between Saft and Axpo and are described by both companies as a major milestone in France, laying the foundations for what the companies call a long-term partnership.

Project details: Orbec and Bois Paillet

The two projects are the 92 MWh / 41 MW Orbec project in Normandy and the 30 MWh / 14 MW Bois Paillet project in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Together they strengthen battery storage capacity in France, where large-scale storage is becoming increasingly important as the country expands renewable energy generation and needs flexibility to maintain a stable and reliable electricity grid.

Under the agreements, Saft will deliver fully integrated BESS solutions for both sites. The Orbec project will comprise 18 Intensium Flex battery containers delivering 92 MWh / 41 MW, while the Bois Paillet project will comprise 6 Intensium Flex battery containers delivering 30 MWh / 14 MW, together with power conversion equipment and advanced energy management systems.

Deliveries are scheduled for early 2027. The systems are designed to provide energy arbitrage and ancillary services for the French grid.

Technology and noise mitigation measures

Saft says the projects combine flexibility, performance, and reliability. The company's liquid-cooled battery technology enables intensive cycling and rapid response to changing grid conditions while preserving long-term battery performance.

The systems will be supported by I-Sight, Saft's digital monitoring platform, which helps optimize performance, maintenance, and asset management throughout their lifetime.

Special attention has also been paid to local environmental requirements. To comply with strict noise limitations at the sites, the projects incorporate a range of mitigation measures, including low-noise operating modes, optimized cooling management, battery silencers, and dedicated noise barriers.

Executive comments

Vincent Le Quintrec, ESS Sales Director at Saft, said, "We are delighted to begin our collaboration with Axpo through these landmark projects in France. These projects are the result of strong teamwork and a clear alignment between Axpo and Saft from the outset.

Combining ambitious delivery timelines with demanding technical requirements requires trust and close cooperation. "We are proud to have reached this milestone together and look forward to moving into the execution phase," Frank Amend, Axpo Head of Batteries & Hybrid Systems, said.

"These projects mark an important step in expanding Axpo's battery storage portfolio in France. We are pleased to partner with Saft and look forward to delivering reliable, flexible storage capacity to support the country's energy transition."

Company backgrounds

Saft is a global leader in advanced battery technology, designing and manufacturing high-performance solutions for critical industrial applications. For over 100 years, the company has delivered reliable, long-lasting energy systems used in safety, back-up power, and mobility across land, sea, air, and space.

Saft is wholly owned by TotalEnergies, a multi-energy company that produces and sells energy in all its forms, including oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gas, renewable energies, and electricity.

Axpo is Switzerland's largest energy producer and an international leader in energy trading and the marketing of solar and wind power.

The company combines the experience and expertise of about 7,500 employees and uses cutting-edge technologies to meet the evolving needs of its customers in more than 30 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia.

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