On July 12, Luc Rémont, Chairman and CEO of EDF, inaugurated the EDF Renewables photovoltaic power plant in Ottmarsheim in Haut-Rhin. This event was an opportunity for the Group to sign an agreement with the Grand Est Region in order to accelerate the energy and societal transition and to fight against climate change in this territory.

Inaugurated on July 12, the brand new Alsatian solar power plant is located in the municipalities of Ottmarsheim and Hombourg and covers 13 hectares. Made up of around 28,000 solar panels, it has a production capacity of 15.5 MW. This represents the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of 7,750 inhabitants, more than double the population of the two municipalities where it is located.

An environmentally friendly solar power plant that contributes to local economic dynamism

From its design, the plant integrated biodiversity issues, such as the preservation of dry grasslands and afforestation.

“ We have preserved the natural habitats of interest and biodiversity by avoiding and protecting these sectors within the power plant. This preserves the local flora present, notably the Mountain Germander. » Camille Marcel, Development project director, EDF Renewables.

An ecological corridor has thus been set up to the south of the power plant. Through this action, the project is part of the regional approach to developing “green and blue networks”, spaces favoring the circulation and reproduction of species.

Other environmental measures have also been taken such as:

• The creation of shrub hedges to the north, south and west of the project to create favorable environments for avifauna;
  
• Reseeding the project over 9 hectares with a mix of floral seeds to limit the regrowth of invasive plants;
  
• ​​​​​​​The movement of the hibernacula (reptile rocks) in the corridor located south of the power plant and the creation of 7 hibernacula with a specialized local company;
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• Adaptation of the construction schedule: no mowing was carried out between April and August so as not to disturb the species present on the site. No clearing was carried out between March and August to avoid disrupting the reproduction periods (courtship displays, nesting, etc.) of the avifauna present on the site.

To carry out this project, the EDF Renewables teams contacted local companies throughout the construction of the plant. From September 2021 to June 2023, more than a hundred people were involved at the regional level, for example in the field of roads and earthworks. In addition, maintenance of the site will be ensured by the local branch of EDF Renewables located in Toul-Rosières.

A historic site for EDF

The solar power plant is built on land that served as a living base during the construction of the EDF Hydro hydroelectric power plant in Ottmarsheim built between 1948. and 1952. In the immediate vicinity of the grand Alsace canal built between 1932 and 1959, this site participates in the revaluation of industrial land. The new solar power plant completes the local energy mix and makes Ottmarsheim a site at the crossroads of energies.