Eyguières, September 12, 2023 – EDF Renewables inaugurates the Moulon de Blé solar power plant with an installed capacity of 11.4 MWp. Located on a former colluvium extraction quarry, this solar power plant makes it possible to exploit a former industrial site to produce renewable energy.
The power plant, made up of approximately 21,330 photovoltaic panels spread over 9 hectares, is installed on a former colluvium extraction quarry which has now been rehabilitated. It produces the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of around 7,400 people.
The project received the close support of the community of Eyguières, with a strong desire to promote the development of renewable energies. The building permit for the plant was obtained in 2016. The project was also the winner of a call for tenders from the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) in March 2017, allowing it to benefit from a tariff purchase of electricity secured over 20 years.
From its conception, consultation was carried out with the territory, including the Alpilles Regional Natural Park, to identify the landscape and biodiversity issues of the site. The work schedule has thus been adapted for completion outside the period of greatest importance for local flora and fauna. Habitats have been created for reptiles and amphibians, and the embankment adjoining the park will be revegetated in the fall to strengthen its integration
landscape. Initiated from the outset of the project, environmental monitoring was carried out throughout the work and will be continued over the duration of the park's operation, planned for 30 years.
The inhabitants of Bouches-du-Rhône and neighboring departments (Var, Vaucluse, Gard) had the opportunity to participate very concretely in this project through crowdfunding launched during the summer of 2022 on the WISEED platform. The campaign was a success, raising 141,500 euros from 77 private investors.
Today, EDF Renewables is building and operating 14 solar power plants in the South Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region as well as a floating offshore wind pilot project of nearly 25 MW which will be installed off the coast of Port -Saint-Louis-du-Rhône (Bouches-du-Rhône), totaling a cumulative power of approximately 124 MW. The Moulon de Blé photovoltaic plant thus contributes to the territory's energy transition objectives and the carbon neutrality objective that France has set for 2050.
Sofiane BOUKEBBOUS, Director of the South-East and Overseas zone of EDF Renewables, indicates: “With the Moulon de Blé photovoltaic plant, the town of Eyguières, with around 6,800 inhabitants, will produce more electricity than 'she doesn't consume any. The plant thus contributes to the region's energy transition, necessary to meet the challenges of the fight against climate change. With this project, we have also developed land with an industrial past, in this case a quarry.”
About EDF Renewables
EDF Renouvelables is an international energy company that develops, builds and operates renewable energy production plants.
A major player in the world's energy transition, EDF Renewables deploys competitive, responsible and value-creating projects within EDF. In each country, our teams are engaged on a daily basis with the territories by putting their expertise and their capacity for innovation at the service of the fight against climate change.
At the end of 2022, EDF Renewables has an installed capacity of 11.4 GW net (18.5 GW gross) worldwide. Mainly present in Europe and North America, the company is also developing in emerging markets such as: South Africa, Brazil, China, India and the Middle East. Historically active in onshore wind power and photovoltaics, the Company is significantly strengthening its position in installed and floating offshore wind power,
as well as in new technologies such as energy storage, floating solar and agrivoltaics.
For more information : www.edf-renouvelables.com
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French and @EDF_Renewables in English.
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EDF Renewables
Célia Balanche tel. : +33 (0)6 35 32 32 16 ▪ email: celia.balanche@edf-re.fr
Eugénie Gai ▪ tel. : +33 (0)1 41 02 78 31 ▪ email: eugenie.gai@edf-re.fr
Emilien Lacroix ▪ tel. : +33 (0)1 40 90 21 48 ▪ email: emilien.lacroix@edf-re.fr