The Venture Codex

Participated · Series B · Nov 2021

ZE Energy develops, finances, builds and operates hybrid solar power plants that combine photovoltaic production with battery energy storage systems (BESS). The company sells green energy directly to consumers and via tenders, aiming to provide stable and controllable power. Founded in 2019 and based in Paris, ZE Energy focuses on projects tailored for continental Europe. It currently manages a project portfolio exceeding 1 GW of solar capacity and more than 400 MW of battery storage. The company positions its model as a solution to solar price volatility by storing excess production and offering flexibility to producers and consumers. ZE Energy plans to expand across Europe over the next two years and grow its operational and construction-ready portfolio to 900 MW of solar and 600 MWh of storage by 2026. ZE ENERGY develops and operates hybrid solar power plants that pair photovoltaic arrays with battery storage to capture daytime generation for later use. Its battery-equipped plants aim to deliver low‑cost, zero‑CO2 electricity with improved grid integration and supply flexibility. The company reports a project portfolio of over 300 MW of photovoltaic capacity and more than 120 MW of battery storage and has begun international expansion with a first site in Germany. ZE ENERGY’s 2022 roadmap includes doubling staff to about 40 employees, establishing a presence in Italy and Spain, acquiring land for new storage‑enabled solar plants, and expanding direct sales via corporate PPAs. By 2025 the company targets over 800 MW of PV capacity, more than 300 MW of battery power, and approximately €60M in turnover. ZE ENERGY focuses on marketing flexible solar generation in short circuit to companies and communities to support the energy transition and address rising electricity demand. ZE Energy develops hybrid solar power plants that combine photovoltaics with battery storage to capture and store daytime solar generation. The company’s plants emphasize low production costs, integration with the environment and power grid, and zero CO2 emissions. Management includes CEO Mathieu Lassagne and industry veterans Louis Poulain (ex Alstom/GE), Hubert Gentou (ex Gazprom and Eramet) and Eric Roujolle (ex Nippon Koei). ZE’s growth strategy focuses on three areas: organic development through property acquisition to build and operate plants, acquisitions targeting projects that require grid connection, and strategic partnerships offering a Storage-as-a-Service solution including installation, funding and operation. The company intends to use the new funds to ramp up its development efforts in France.