Holosolis, a company founded by EIT InnoEnergy, IDEC Group and TSE, has announced the construction of a gigafactory for photovoltaic modules in the French department of Moselle on the French-German border. The aim is to increase European capacity for the production of solar modules, thus ensuring the continent's energy security.
The factory will be launched in 2025 and will have a production capacity of 5 GW per year at full capacity. Thus, 10 million photovoltaic modules will be produced annually, which will be able to meet the energy needs of about one million European households. The Gigafactory will employ 1700 people, most of whom will be hired in the Grand Est region and the Saargmünd area. This will be supported by a partnership with Pôle Emploi.
Energy security high on the agenda
At a time when energy security is high on the agenda, Holosolis is committed to expanding European production capacity in the solar sector. Currently, 80% of photovoltaic modules installed worldwide come from China and only 3% from the European Union. Holosolis is a direct response to the growing concern about European security of supply. It places sustainability at the heart of its industrial project and will make a significant contribution to the transformation of European industry towards low-carbon, recyclable products.
Holosolis was founded by three leading European players. EIT InnoEnergy, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, a European Union (EU) body, is one of the largest investors in cleantech and sustainable energy technologies. In addition, EIT InnoEnergy has brought on board for Holosolis the French IDEC Group, a major player in the real estate sector there, and TSE, one of the main producers of solar energy in France and leader in the agricultural photovoltaic sector.
Planned 5 GW production capacity
Diego Pavía, CEO of EIT InnoEnergy: "Holosolis is part of the European effort to reindustrialize the photovoltaic sector. The decision taken by the Holosolis team to build its first gigafactory in Saargmünd, France, after an intensive pan-European search, is a visible example of this effort. EIT InnoEnergy is proud to support a new player like Holosolis, which will be a first industrial reference of the European Solar PV Industrial Alliance we lead. With its 5 GW production, Holosolis will contribute more than 15% to the overall goal of the Alliance: namely to reach a European PV production capacity of 30 GW per year from 2025. This represents an additional €60 billion in annual GDP in Europe and the creation of more than 400,000 new direct and indirect jobs."
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The Gigafactory is strategically significant for the success of the European Union's Green Deal Industrial Plan. Holosolis is also one of the flagship initiatives being implemented under the European Solar PV Industrial Alliance (ESIA) to drive the reindustrialization of Europe. Under the REPowerEU plan, launched in 2022, Europe aims to bring 600 GW of solar energy online by 2030. Holosolis will be one of the suppliers for the booming EU market.
Factors for the location in France
After a thorough review, Holosolis decided to locate in France. Reasons include the expertise and labor availability there, the quality of the infrastructure, and the low-carbon nature of the energy generated there. The site secured for the gigafactory covers 50 hectares and offers room for expansion as new technologies and manufacturing capacity are integrated. (hcn)
