Lyon, September 29, 2022 – EDF Renewables today inaugurates the wind farm Beaujolais Vert, the first in the Rhône department in the commune of Valsonne. Made up of 4 wind turbines with an installed capacity of 12 MW, this park is part of the CAP 2030 strategy of the EDF group, aiming to double its net production capacity of renewable energies from 28 to 60 GW from 2015 to 2030.
The park, located on the major relief line of the Beaujolais mountains, will provide the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of around 13,000 inhabitants, or a quarter of the Western Rhodanian urban community, and will thus participate in the territory’s energy transition.
Developed in close collaboration with the Municipality of Valsonne and the Community of Communes of Western Rhodanien since 2014, the construction of the park was launched in 2019. It mobilized local companies from Beaujolais, notably BML Béton in Tarare, Bissuel Cortey in Amplepuis and Recorbet in Ronno. Residents of the department and neighboring departments were invited to invest in this project through a crowdfunding platform in 2017. The €150,000 raised was collected to the tune of 87% from residents of the Western Rhodanien Community.
From its design, the impact of the project on biodiversity and local forestry economic activity was taken into account, being in the heart of a Douglas pine production forest. So, :
– An agreement has been put in place so that these forestry companies can use wind platforms as a log storage area for wood extraction;
– The impact on afforestation was also reduced as much as possible with 2.5 hectares cleared and then replanted at the end of the project.
Didier Hellstern, Development Director of EDF Renewables, said : " We we are happy to support the Western Rhodanian Urban Community in its Positive Energy Territory approach. The Beaujolais Vert park is a perfect example of a project carried out in good consultation with the territory and taking into account its specificities environmental, economic, landscape. By increasing the number of wind farms operated by EDF Renewables in the region for a total power of nearly 130 MW, this implementation service strengthens the presence of EDF Renewables in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. ".
Patrick BOURRASSAUT, Mayor of Valsonne, said : " As a responsible municipality and volunteer in the fight against climate change, the municipal council of Valsonne has took action, supporting a wind project on its territory. Convinced that it was necessary get out of dependence on fossil fuels, we have rigorously sought to improve the wind farm project, led by EDF Renewables, with information from the population and their association with the project ".
About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables is an international leader in renewable electricity production with installed wind and solar capacity of 10.1 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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