Paris, January 13, 2023_ EDF Renewables announces the commissioning of the Beaurepaire photovoltaic power plant with an installed capacity of 14 MWp. Located on a former uranium mine in the Vendée department, this renewable energy installation made it possible to develop the land in an approach to support the territory in its energy transition.
This new plant contributes to the advancement of EDF's Solar Plan which aims to make the Group a leader in solar energy by 2035.
Located in the town of Beaurepaire, the 14 MWp power plant is made up of around 20,000 photovoltaic panels. It produces the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of approximately 7,500 people or 25% of the population of the community of Communes du Pays des Herbiers.
After winning a call for tenders in January 2018 for carrying out the feasibility study of the photovoltaic power plant project on the land of the former uranium mine belonging to the Orano company and the commune of Beaurepaire, the plant obtained in May 2019 its building permit. In October 2020, it was the winner of the call for tenders from the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE).
From its design, the plant integrates biodiversity issues. The environmental monitoring put in place upon completion of the technical studies will be maintained throughout its operation. During the construction year, local companies were contacted, mobilizing around a hundred people. Finally, during the operation phase, maintenance of the site's vegetation will also be carried out by a local company.
At the beginning of 2022, the inhabitants of Vendée and those of neighboring departments had the opportunity to participate in the creation of this photovoltaic power plant by investing in its construction through a crowdfunding platform. This investment campaign made it possible to collect 285,000 euros from 189 people.
In total in the Pays de Loire Region, EDF Renewables operates two solar power plants with a cumulative power of around 24 MWp as well as two onshore wind farms (28 MW) including one at sea, the 480 MW Saint Nazaire wind farm which has was put into service at the end of 2022.
Thibault Veyssière-Pomot, Grand Ouest Zone Director EDF Renewables, said : " We are very happy to inaugurate the Beaurepaire photovoltaic power plant. It is the culmination of close collaboration between the region and EDF Renewables, but also the desire of the municipality of Beaurepaire to develop renewable energies. This plant is fully part of the process of rehabilitating former industrial sites with a view to developing low-carbon energies. It contributes to the success of the EDF group's Solar Plan, a leader in the solar market in France by 2035."
EDF Renewables crowdfunding
5,000 private investors have been able to participate in the construction of renewable installations to the tune of 10 million euros over 60 collections in France since 2015. Open mainly to local residents living near solar, onshore and offshore wind projects, crowdfunding initiated by the EDF group constitutes a significant lever to meet the growing demand from individuals to be able to invest in the energy transition of their territory while benefiting from economic spinoffs.
About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables is an international leader in renewable electricity production with installed wind and solar capacity of 10.7 GW net (15.6 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
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PRESS CONTACTS
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