EDF Renewables and the City of Saumur inaugurate the Saumur Chemin Vert solar power plant. Designed by EDF Renewables at the initiative of the City of Saumur, this renewable energy installation offers a second life to a former technical landfill center. The new power plant, by producing the equivalent of the electricity consumption of 5,500 people, contributes to the region's energy transition and the fight against climate change.

Located in the town of Saumur in the Chemin Vert area, the 11.3 MWp power plant is made up of 25,500 photovoltaic panels spread over 9.5 hectares. It produces the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of 5,500 inhabitants, or nearly 20% of the electricity needs of the people of Saumur.

At the origin of this project, the City of Saumur which launched a call for expressions of interest in 2017, won by EDF Renewables for the study of a solar project on its former Chemin Vert recycling center. After obtaining a building permit in May 2019, then an electricity purchase price from the Energy Regulatory Commission in 2020, construction work started in September 2021. They resulted in the commissioning of the power plant in August 2022, supplemented by landscaping work around the site, including the creation of an educational path, in April 2023.

From its design, the plant integrates biodiversity and environmental issues. The first studies made it possible to avoid certain sensitive areas around the power plant (hedges, ditches and wetlands) to preserve species and their habitats. The work schedule took into account the reproduction periods of certain species and the earthworks were thus interrupted between March and August 2022.

A true regional project, the Saumur Chemin Vert solar power plant generates significant economic benefits for the local communities. On the one hand through the rents received by the municipality, and on the other hand through the tax benefits received by the City, the Urban Community or even the Department.

In order to engage residents in the energy transition of their territory, EDF Renewables launched crowdfunding in September 2021 for a total amount of €96,000. This collection was used to finance part of the construction of the solar power plant while allowing residents to invest in the project.

A second project supported by the City of Saumur and developed by EDF Renewables is currently under study and consultation on land near the aerodrome. In total in the Pays de Loire Region, EDF Renewables operates two solar power plants with a cumulative power of around 25 MWp as well as two onshore wind farms (20 MW) and one at sea, the 480 MW Saint Nazaire wind farm which has was put into service at the end of 2022.

Thibault Veyssière-Pomot, Grand Ouest Zone Director EDF Renewables, said : " We are very pleased to inaugurate the Saumur Chemin Vert photovoltaic power plant. It is the culmination of close collaboration between the region and EDF Renewables, but also the desire of the City of Saumur to develop renewable energies. This plant is fully part of the process of rehabilitating degraded or abandoned sites with a view to developing low-carbon energies. It contributes to the success of the EDF group's Solar Plan, a leader in the solar market in France by 2035. ".

Jackie Goulet-Claisse, Mayor of the City of Saumur, President of the Saumur Val de Loire Urban Community said : " The Chemin Vert solar power plant, born from the initiative of the City of Saumur, makes it possible to produce electricity locally on land which could not accommodate, given its past as a former landfill, nor agricultural activity. , neither leisure activity nor housing. We have wanted to carry out this solar power plant project for many years and through will, work and effort, we succeeded – in particular thanks to EDF Renewables, a true partner in making this approach a reality. This project, important for the City and for the entire territory, demonstrates, if necessary, our unwavering commitment to the concrete development of renewable energies. ".

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