Rubis Photosol, a subsidiary of energy storage company Rubis Group, has launched the construction of a photovoltaic (PV) project in France.

The 200MWp solar farm will be built on the former Creil air station.

The Creil solar farm, which is said to be France's second largest, is set to provide enough energy to power 85,000 families' homes annually.

Commencement of the solar farm follows after the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) awarded the company 257MWp of various ground-mounted PV projects in a call for tenders.

Rubis Photosol received 17% of the overall 1,519MWp awarded in the fourth stage of the CRE's call for bids in the 'ground-mounted photovoltaic plants' sector.

Construction on these awarded projects will commence between 2024 and 2025.

The Criel PV project was launched in 2019 with a call for expressions of interest directed by the country's Ministry of the Armed Forces, allowing for the transformation of the property.

Rubis Photosol is implementing this project on 147ha of land, which is expected to become the largest PV installation of the Ministry of the Armed Forces' 'Place au Soleil' initiative.

The development will generate 188GWh per year, contributing to the attainment of the Multiannual Energy Plan's national objectives and the vision of growing solar energy in the Hauts-de-France region.

Construction of this facility is expected to cost approximately €130m.

Furthermore, Rubis Photosol is expanding in Spain by procuring three projects with a combined capacity of more than 30MWp to power 20,000 families' homes annually.

The company announced the acquisition of three ready-to-build projects in the Alicante region as part of its expansion plans in the country.

These solar farms are set to become operational in the second half of 2025.