EDF Renewables commissions the Dijon-Valmy solar power plant in Burgundy-Franche-Comté

Dijon, November 25, 2021 – Dijon Métropole and EDF Renewables are today inaugurating the Dijon-Valmy photovoltaic power plant with an installed capacity of 15 megawatts (MWc11), in the Côte-d'Or department, in Bourgogne-Franche -County. The plant contributes to EDF's Solar Plan, which aims to make the Group one of the main players in solar energy in France, with 30 % market share by 2035.

Located in the city of Dijon, the solar power plant, which has 43,000 photovoltaic panels, occupies an area of 16 hectares, for an installed capacity of 15 MWp. The renewable electricity produced each year will meet the electricity needs of 8,000 inhabitants, or 5 % of the population of Dijon.

Initiated in 2017, the photovoltaic power plant project is located on the former technical landfill center (CET) of Dijon, which treated the city's waste and on which rubble and residue from construction sites were stored. The CET, closed in 2018, was rehabilitated by the Dijon Metropolis during the summer of 2020.

During the construction of the solar power plant, which employed around a hundred jobs, the technical constraints of the site were taken into account in order to respect the integrity of the layer of topsoil placed on the landfill. Thus, the photovoltaic panels were placed on foundations specially designed for this. The road paths and platforms were also raised above the ground in order to preserve the existing drainage system.

In spring 2021, residents of the Dijon metropolis had the opportunity to invest in the construction of the photovoltaic power plant through a crowdfunding platform. This local financing campaign was a great success with €200,000 raised from local residents.

For Bruno Bensasson, Executive Director of the EDF group in charge of the renewable energies division and Chairman and CEO of EDF Renouvelables : “ The Dijon photovoltaic power plant is the result of close work between the teams from Dijon Métropole and EDF Renewables. It participates in the Region's sustained dynamic in the development of renewable energies, illustrating its desire to contribute to the energy transition by rehabilitating this former technical landfill center. Solar power, like hydropower, wind power and nuclear power, makes it possible to fight global warming by replacing fossil fuels that emit CO2 in favor of low-carbon electricity.. »

For François Rebsamen, Mayor of Dijon and President of Dijon Métropole : “ I am particularly proud that the metropolis brings together leading industrial partners around it. Our metropolis with a high quality of life is a formidable lever of attractiveness and transformation, and it proves this on a daily basis through the choices it makes and the projects it implements, thanks in particular to our particularly resolute commitment around the production of renewable energies. The Dijon-Valmy photovoltaic power plant will help strengthen our energy mix to create a virtuous and sustainable ecosystem that meets the multiple challenges of the ecological transition. »

About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables is an international leader in renewable electricity production with installed wind and solar capacity of 13.8 GW gross worldwide. Mainly present in Europe and North America, EDF Renewables continues its development by taking a position in promising emerging markets such as: Brazil, China, India, South Africa and the Middle East. Historically active in onshore wind power and photovoltaics, the Company is now strongly positioned in offshore wind power and new technologies such as energy storage. EDF Renewables ensures the development and construction of renewable energy projects as well as their operation and maintenance. EDF Renewables is a subsidiary of the EDF group.
For more information: www.edf-renouvelables.com
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edf-renouvelables and on Twitter @EDF_RE in French and @EDF_Renewables in English.

About the EDF group in Burgundy-Franche-Comté
In Burgundy-Franche-Comté, EDF produces 100% renewable energy.
The group is present throughout the territory of Burgundy-Franche-Comté with 4,700 employees spread across all of its Departments and subsidiaries: Framatome, CETIC, EDF Hydro, EDF Renouvelables, EDF Commerce Est, Dalkia, Citelum, Enedis

About Dijon metropolis
Dijon metropolis, 260,000 inhabitants, epicenter capital of the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region, is a metropolis on a human scale, wine and gourmet, academic and economic, united, cultural and sporting. Dijon, a metropolis with high environmental quality, brings together 23 municipalities linked into a community of destiny, whose ambition and dynamics are based on history, geography, innovation, and the will of the women and men who shape it. At the heart of the Paris-Lyon-Strasbourg triangle, it plays a bold and radiant role, between major urban projects (International City of Gastronomy and Wine, OnDijon, hydrogen project, etc.), efficiency of public service, proximity and solidarity with the rural territories surrounding it. Today rich in remarkable diversity, Dijon metropolis supports quality and sustainable development.

◼ PRESS CONTACTS
For EDF Renewables
Manon of Cassini-Hérail ▪ such. : +33 (0) 6 29 48 43 40 ▪ email: manon.decassini-herail@edf-re.fr
Margot Reboul ▪ such. : +33 (0)6 14 87 69 85 ▪ email: margot.reboul@edf-re.fr

For EDF Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Isabelle Maille-Ferrieres ▪ such. : +33 (0)7 61 81 82 23 ▪ email: isabelle.maille-ferrieres@edf.fr

For Dijon metropolis
Peggy Briset ▪ such. : +33 (0)7 61 91 89 40 ▪ email: pbriset@ville-dijon.fr