Paris-based TotalEnergies said Dec. 20 that it will provide 160 MW of renewable power to New Caledonia-based Prony Resources.

TotalEnergies and nickel and cobalt producer Prony have entered into a 25-year renewable power purchase agreement.

Between 2022 and 2025, TotalEnergies will develop 160 MW of photovoltaic solar power, as well as 340 MWh of energy battery storage capacity. The majority of the PV installations will be built on property owned by the Grand Sud hydrometallurgical plant.

TotalEnergies expects the first PV plant to come on stream in 2023. The plant will produce 30 MW of power.

Once the project is completed, it will provide nearly two-thirds of power requirements at the site, and eliminate nearly 230,000 tons of CO2 emissions, TotalEnergies said.

Prony Resources has targeted 2040 to achieve net zero.

"With this long-term partnership, we are demonstrating that it is possible to support industrial activity in New Caledonia and participate in a sustainable development approach at the same time," Thierry Muller, chief executive of TotalEnergies Renewables France, said.

Prony Resources acquired Vale's nickel operations in New Caledonia earlier this year.