Lazer, June 20, 2023 – The EDF group inaugurates the Lazer floating solar power plant, the first of its subsidiary EDF Renewables in France and the first to combine photovoltaic and hydroelectric production on the same site. Installed on the lake of a hydroelectric dam operated by EDF, it doubles the site's renewable electricity production capacity.
The Lazer floating solar power plant is made up of more than 50,000 panels for an installed capacity of 20 MWp. By providing the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of 12,500 people, it contributes to achieving the objectives of 100 GW of solar capacity in France by 2050.
The solar power plant complements the dam, particularly in summer, by continuing to provide electricity when the water from Lake Lazer is used primarily for irrigating crops. The anchoring and float system makes it possible to adapt to variations in the water level of the reservoir without impacting its operation.
This project began in 2017, then was the winner of the call for tenders from the Energy Regulation Commission in 2018. A crowdfunding campaign was successfully launched in 2021, allowing the local population to invest up to €179,000. Construction of the power plant began in 2021 with the completion of geotechnical studies and the positioning of the anchors. The photovoltaic panels were then assembled on their floats, launched in islets and towed by boat to their final location. Today, the floating solar power plant has been in operation for around 30 years.
Bruno Bensasson, Executive Director of the EDF group in charge of the Renewable Energy Sector, has indicated : “We are proud to inaugurate the Lazer floating solar power plant today, a perfect illustration of the complementarity of expertise within the EDF group and our capacity for innovation. For this first in France, EDF Renewables relied on its know-how developed abroad with four floating solar power plants built in the United States and Israel. By bringing together two sources of renewable electricity production on the same site, this project contributes to achieving the French objectives of carbon neutrality by 2050 while reducing pressure on ordinary land. »
EDF Renewables in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region
This installation strengthens the presence of EDF Renewables in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region: five new solar power plants will be commissioned in 2023, including that of Lazer. They will be added to the five already in operation and will bring EDF Renewables' solar production capacity to 85 MW in the region. EDF Renewables is also building the first pilot floating offshore wind farm which will be installed 17 km off the coast of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône (13).
About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables is an international leader in the production of renewable electricity with an installed wind and solar capacity of 18.5 GW gross worldwide as of December 31, 2022. Mainly present in Europe and North America, EDF Renewables continues its development in 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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About EDF
A major player in the energy transition, the EDF group is an integrated energy company, present in all businesses: production, transport, distribution, trading, energy sales and energy services. Leader in low-carbon energies in the world, the Group has developed a diversified production mix based mainly on nuclear and renewable energy (including hydraulics) and is investing in new technologies to support the energy transition. EDF's purpose is to build a CO2-neutral energy future reconciling preservation of the planet, well-being and development, thanks to electricity and innovative solutions and services. The Group participates in the supply of energy and services to approximately 40.3 million customers (1), including 30.3 million in France (2). In 2022, it achieved a consolidated turnover of 143.5 billion euros.
(1) Customers are counted by delivery site; a customer can have two delivery points: one for electricity and another for gas. (2) Including ÉS (Electrcité de Strasbourg) and SEI
PRESS CONTACTS
EDF group press service: service-de-presse@edf.fr / 01 40 42 46 37
EDF Renewables press service – Eugénie Gai ▪ tel. : +33 (0)1 41 02 78 31 ▪ eugenie.gai@edf-re.fr
EDF Renewables press service – Emilien Lacroix ▪ tel. : +33 (0)1 40 90 21 48 ▪ emilien.lacroix@edf-re.fr
