EDF Renewables is inaugurating the Pouzin solar power plant in the Ardèche department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. With a capacity of 8.4 MW, this installation is part of EDF’s solar plan. The latter aims to make the group a leader in the solar market in France by 2035.
Commissioning of the Pouzin solar power plant
EDF inaugurates the Pouzin solar power plant on the Ile Chambenier business park, belonging to the Syndicat de Développement, d’Équipement et d’Aménagement de l’Ardèche. Covering an area of 8 hectares, it consists of approximately 23,300 photovoltaic panels, with a power of 8.4 MW. It produces the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of about 5,000 inhabitants.
The plant is a 2019 Energy Regulatory Commission award winner, benefiting from a secure tariff for 20 years. Work began in September 2020 and the plant has been operational since August 2021. With this solar power plant in Le Pouzin, EDF Renewables is exploiting approximately 100 MW of solar energy in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Local and regional economic benefits
Within the framework of the construction site, local or regional companies benefited from nearly €3.5 million of work contracts. The modules come from the company Photowatt based in Bourgoin-Jallieu, in Isère. Thus, the Pouzin solar power plant will generate direct local economic benefits throughout its lifetime.
Sofiane Boukebbous, EDF Renewable’s South-West and Overseas Zone Director, said:
“We are very happy to inaugurate the solar power plant in Le Pouzin. This marks the willingness of local authorities to develop renewable energies. Moreover, this new facility allows EDF Renewables to strengthen its presence in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, while supporting the region in its energy transition.”
Measures to preserve biodiversity
Measures, introduced during construction, also ensure the preservation of biodiversity. Six hectares of compensatory measures delimit a protection zone for the fauna. They will allow to perpetuate and reinforce the protection of the habitat of the protected avifauna.
A management of the vegetation by late mowing is implemented in order to respect the breeding cycle of the breeding avifauna. The environmental monitoring of the photovoltaic power plant and of these compensatory measures will continue during the operation of the park. In addition, this new facility allows EDF to strengthen its regional presence and to support the region in its energy transition.
