EDF Renewables commissions the Grand Guéret solar power plant in New Aquitaine

Paris, June 28, 2021 – EDF Renewables and its partners, the Communauté d'Agglomération du Grand Guéret and Elina (the SEM of the Creuse and Haute-Vienne Energy Unions), announce the commissioning of the photovoltaic power plant of the Grand Guéret, with an installed capacity of 15 MWp, in the Creuse department.

The plant contributes to EDF's Solar Plan, which aims to make the Group one of the main players in solar energy in France, with 30 % market share by 2035.

Located in the heart of Creuse, in the communes of Guéret and Saint-Fiel, the solar power plant, made up of 33,000 photovoltaic panels, occupies an area of 17 hectares of industrial wasteland, for an installed capacity of 15 MWp. The low-carbon electricity it will produce each year (16 GWh) will help meet the electricity needs of 3,250 residents, or more than 11 TP3T the population of the Grand Guéret Urban Community.

This solar power plant is the result of an energy transition project carried out together since 2017 by EDF Renewables, elected officials of the Grand Guéret Urban Community and local residents. Construction of the plant began in January 2020. In the summer of 2020, residents were invited to invest in the plant through a local crowdfunding platform. This fundraising campaign was a success since it enabled around fifty local residents to contribute €200,000 to the project. In addition to this participatory financing, the Grand Guéret solar power plant benefits from local participation: 49 % of the company's share capital will be held by the Community of Agglomeration of Grand Guéret and the Société d'Economie Mixte Elina.

Maintenance of vegetation on the power plant site will be ensured by grazing (sheep), allowing agricultural coactivity and maintenance of vegetation. Furthermore, it is planned that the site of the solar power plant will accommodate beehives.

For David Augeix, South Regional Director of EDF Renewables: “The Grand Guéret photovoltaic power plant responds to the region’s energy transition challenges. This new solar power plant reflects our involvement with the Agglomeration and its residents to make this collaborative project a collective success. It also contributes to the success of EDF’s Solar Plan which aims to make the group one of the leaders in the sector by 2035.”

For Eric Correia, president of the Greater Guéret Urban Community: “It is within the framework of its Territorial Climate Energy Plan, and with the desire to promote the development of renewable energies, that the Greater Guéret Urban Community, Positive Energy Territory for Green Growth, wanted the construction of 'A
photovoltaic park on its territory. This first achievement is only the beginning of the energy transition of the Agglomeration, which is working on a development plan for renewable energies aimed at setting objectives by type of energy while taking into account local wishes. »

About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables is an international leader in renewable electricity production with installed wind and solar capacity of 13.8 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 Manon de Cassini-Hérail ▪ tel. : +33 (0)1 40 90 48 22 ▪ email: manon.decassini-herail@edf-re.fr Margot Reboul ▪ tel. : +33 (0)6 14 87 69 85 ▪ email: margot.reboul@edf-re.fr