EDF Renewables is strengthening its presence on the island of Reunion with the commissioning of the Rivière des Galets solar power plant (4.6 MW). Inaugurated on October 27, 2023, this is the fourth EDF Renewables installation on the island.
A new solar power plant now sits below the dizzying reliefs of Bas Mafate, on the island of Reunion. Rivière des Galets, whose name is borrowed from that of the coastal river which delimits the municipal territories of Port, La Possession and Saint-Paul, is spread over 4.4 hectares. The plant produces the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of around 4,500 people, which represents around 14% of the commune of Le Port.
Located on a former “wild” landfill, Rivière Des Galets makes it possible to give a second life to this land to produce renewable energy. The objective: significantly improve the biodiversity of the land. Local palm trees and shrubs will be planted, allowing different species of birds to find a new, more suitable habitat.
Mainly covered by ruderal vegetation (invasive exotic plant species growing on rubble, near houses), the land has been the subject of sustained work with design offices and in partnership with local associations such as the SAPEF (Landscaping and Forestry Society), the CBN (National Botanical Conservatory) and the SEOR (Society for Ornithological Studies of Reunion).
The photovoltaic plant contributes to the objectives of Reunion's energy transition of a 100% renewable territory by 2024, in complementarity with other means of production.
Bringing renewable energy to isolated areas
EDF Renewables has been present for 20 years in ZNI (Non Interconnected Zones). To date, 14 installations are in operation in different isolated territories: in Corsica, Guyana, Reunion, Martinique and Guadeloupe, as well as in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. The company is developing projects as close as possible to places of consumption, making it possible to supply low-carbon electricity to isolated communities that sometimes do not have access to the public network. Renewable energies constitute a response to the challenges of energy autonomy and transition, in complementarity with other means of production in these territories, while being more competitive than fuel oil.
In overseas territories, EDF Renewables has developed real expertise in the development of installations responding to extreme climatic conditions: cyclonic risks, flood zones or high ambient humidity, as is the case in Guyana. Projects are thus adapted, for example with specific wind turbines, raising photovoltaic structures or even the use of materials such as stainless steel to prevent the effects of corrosion.
EDF Renewables, first operator of ground-mounted solar power plants in Reunion
EDF Renewables built and operates three solar power plants on the island of Reunion: Saint-Pierre (4 MWp) and Sainte-Rose (10.5 MWp) commissioned in 2009, and now Rivière des Galets (4.6 MWp ), just inaugurated. With the commissioning of Rivière des Galets, EDF Renewables becomes the first operator of ground-mounted solar power plants on the island.