EDF Renewables announces the commissioning of the Nitry solar power plant in Yonne (89). Located on the outskirts of the A6, this renewable energy production facility allows the redevelopment of an abandoned motorway, for the benefit of the region's energy transition.

The Nitry solar power plant, with a power of 3.8 MWp, produces low-carbon electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of around 1,900 people, or nearly 30% of the town of Avallon (89).

The Nitry power plant is the result of a partnership signed in 2017 between EDF Renewables and APRR, a subsidiary of the Eiffage group, for the development of renewable energies on three of its abandoned motorways. This partnership enabled the construction of the Subligny power plant near the A19, inaugurated in October 2022, as well as that of the Nitry (89) and Col de Bessey (21) power plants near the A6.

After obtaining the building permit at the beginning of 2020, the project was the winner of a call for tenders from the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) in 2021 to benefit from an electricity purchase tariff guaranteed by the State for the next 20 years.

In March 2022, residents of the Yonne department and those of neighboring departments had the opportunity to invest in the construction of the power plant through the crowdfunding platform Lendosphere. This campaign was a great success with €80,000 raised for the Nitry power plant.

The photovoltaic power plant integrates the environmental issues of the site, the work phase is carried out outside the bird nesting period and any sensitive period for the fauna and flora identified during ecological studies. Environmental monitoring, carried out in parallel with the work, will continue throughout the life of the plant. Furthermore, EDF Renewables has signed an eco-grazing agreement with a local breeder, allowing the maintenance of vegetation without the use of phytosanitary products.

This solar power plant strengthens the presence of EDF Renewables in the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region, with 10 solar power plants and 3 wind farms in operation for an installed capacity of 155 MW. EDF Renewables is also continuing its development with 11 solar power plants under construction, and thus contributing to the objectives set at the regional level of 69 % of renewable energy by 2030.

Robert Poggi, Director of EDF Regional Action in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, has indicated : " The EDF group and its partners are helping to build a carbon-neutral future in France. The inauguration of the Nitry solar power plant demonstrates the strong dynamic that the EDF group has in favor of renewables in the territories. This new production asset is completely part of the EDF group's partnership with the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region in favor of the development of carbon-free energies but also of local employment and innovation. ".

Alexandre Margain, Regional Manager EDF Renewables, added: “ The Nitry photovoltaic power plant is the result of close collaboration between the region and EDF Renewables, but also of the municipality's desire to get involved in renewable energies. It is fully in line with national and regional energy transition ambitions. EDF Renewables has paid the greatest attention to enhancing the site's assets with the aim of promoting economic and human development.. »