Sowatt commissions first Kempower Mega Satellite in France

Kempower and French charging station operator Sowatt Solutions have commissioned France's first 'Kempower Mega Satellite CCS 560 kW' along the Mont-Blanc route in Vougy, designed for electric trucks. The site is complemented by three fast chargers, each offering up to 300 kW for electric cars.

Sowatt solutions ladestation charging station kempower frankreich france — Image: Kempower

For around 18 months, the Finnish charging hardware manufacturer has been accepting orders for its megawatt charging system. For this product, Kempower combines up to two 600 kW power units, which can deliver a total output of 1.2 megawatts, with charging stations of the ‘Kempower Mega Satellite’ type.

The charging station can be equipped either with an MCS connector for up to 1.2 MW or with up to two CCS connectors, each delivering up to 560 kW. Initial sites in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden are already using the system with MCS connectors in depot applications.

For the publicly accessible fast-charging hub on the Mont-Blanc route in Vougy, however, operator Sowatt Solutions opted for a CCS-only version of the system. There, a ‘Kempower Mega Satellite’ with one CCS charging point and up to 560 kW charging power for electric heavy-duty transport has been commissioned. It remains unclear whether this charging point is exclusively reserved for electric trucks or is also available to electric cars. There are three ‘Kempower Satellite’ charging stations, each with up to 300 kW and two CCS charging points, which are intended for electric cars. However, these are not part of the megawatt system.

“Commissioning the first Kempower Mega Satellite in France is a major achievement for the region,” said Pierre Gau, Sales Director Western Europe at Kempower. “This station embodies the future of high-power charging: scalable, versatile, and designed for both commercial fleets and private drivers. We’re proud to support Sowatt Solutions in bringing this flagship installation to life in such an iconic location.”

“Partnering with Kempower enabled us to deliver cutting-edge charging performance in one of the most strategic and scenic corridors in Europe. This site sets a new benchmark for what mobility infrastructure can be,” said Emilie Forster, Director of Sowatt Solutions.

No details have been provided regarding the investment volume for the site, which is described as strategically well-located on a key transport axis between France and Italy, just before the Mont-Blanc Tunnel. Kempower merely states that the site was funded by the French government as part of the ‘France 2030’ programme by the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME).

kempower.com