- Solaire
- Solar
Paris, February 3rd 2021 – EDF Renewables, a leading player in wind and solar energies, is launching construction of its first floating photovoltaic facility, which will be built on a reservoir in the Lazer municipality (Hautes-Alpes department). The project will contribute to the achievement of the photovoltaic energy development targets set by the French government. It also fits with the EDF group’s Solar Plan to become a leading player in the sector in France, with a 30% market share by 2035.
The 20 MW-floating solar power facility, which will be built on a reservoir powering of the Lazer hydroelectric plant, will occupy a surface area of 24.5 hectares, around two-thirds of the reservoir’s surface. Project commissioning is scheduled for spring 2022. It will generate enough electricity to cover the annual consumption of 12,500 inhabitants, complementing the broadly comparable output from the hydroelectric plant.
Construction of the Lazer facility is beginning today with geotechnical studies surveying the reservoir’s floor. The requisite anchor systems for the floating panels will be built in spring 2021 followed by installation of the floaters and photovoltaic panels. Around 40 people will work on-site during the 13-month construction period.
An ongoing dialogue has been established with the local population concerning the Lazer project, originally initiated in 2017. Various technical and environmental studies have been conducted to preserve the site’s biodiversity and maintain electricity generation at the Lazer hydroelectric plant.
Nicolas Couderc, EDF Renewables’ Executive Vice-President, France, commented: “We are proud to launch the construction of EDF Renewables’ first floating solar facility on the Lazer reservoir. Thanks to this innovative technology, we will be able to generate both hydroelectricity and solar power at the same reservoir. Combining these two renewable energies will provide an additional asset to meet the government targets for developing renewable energies. The Lazer floating solar facility also contributes to achievement of EDF’s Solar plan.”
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About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables is a leading international player in renewable energies, with gross installed capacity of 13.2 GW worldwide. Its development is mainly focused on wind and solar photovoltaic power. EDF Renewables operates mostly in Europe and North America but is continuing to grow by moving into promising emerging regions such as Brazil, China, India, South Africa and the Middle East. The company has strong positions in offshore wind power, but also in other areas of the renewable energies industry such as energy storage. EDF Renewables develops, builds, operates and maintains renewable energies projects, both for itself and for third parties. EDF Renewables is the EDF Group subsidiary specialising in developing solar and wind power.
For more information, visit: www.edf-renewables.com
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edf-renewables and on Twitter (@EDF_RE in French and @EDF_Renewables in English).
PRESS CONTACT
Manon de Cassini-Hérail ▪ tel : +33 (0)1 40 90 48 22 ▪ email : Manon.decassini-herail@edf-en.com
