Independent electricity producer wpd has announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign aimed at local residents to support the construction of the Ruisseau de Margot wind farm, located in the Breton commune of Bréhand in the Côtes-d’Armor department. The goal is to raise a total of €400,000 ($424,000) via the Enerfip platform, offering a fixed annual interest rate of 7%. Subscriptions will open on October 8 for Bréhand residents, before being extended to the Lamballe Terre & Mer Community of Municipalities on October 29, and then to the entire Brittany region from November 12.
A 15 MW capacity to meet 16% of local electricity demand
The future wind farm will comprise three turbines of 5 MW each, for a total installed capacity of 15 MW. These turbines will stand 180 metres tall, with a rotor diameter of 150 metres. Once operational, the site is expected to produce 32 GWh of electricity annually, covering the equivalent of 16% of residential electricity consumption in the Lamballe Terre et Mer Community of Municipalities. Commissioning is scheduled for 2026.
Investment access starting from €10
The fundraising campaign allows residents to invest starting from €10, with an individual cap of €15,000. This mechanism is designed to provide local participants with a return on investment while involving them directly in the financing of an energy project in their territory. No bank contribution is required, and the offer is strictly regulated under French crowdfunding legislation.
A project initiated by local stakeholders since 2014
The initiative was launched in 2014 by the Bréhand municipality through a call for projects. The developer wpd was selected in 2015 following a favourable vote by the municipal council. A steering committee made up of elected officials and residents subsequently supported the various development phases of the project, including study monitoring, public information sessions, and the definition of support measures.
Recurring tax revenues for local authorities
Once operational, the wind farm is expected to generate approximately €140,000 ($148,000) annually in tax revenue, to be distributed between the Bréhand municipality, the community of municipalities, and the department. Bréhand alone will receive around €30,000 ($31,800) per year, strengthening its budgetary capacity for local development initiatives.
