popular articles

France: Court Blocks Wind Project to Protect Historic Menhirs

The Nantes administrative court of appeal annulled the authorization to build three wind turbines in Porspoder, citing the impact on the archaeological heritage due to the proximity of the Kergadiou menhirs, classified as historical monuments.

Please share:

The Nantes administrative court of appeal has annulled the environmental permit for the installation of three wind turbines in Porspoder, in the Finistère region. This decision, rendered on October 1, 2024, highlights the challenges related to the development of renewable energies in areas with significant heritage value. The project, initially authorized by the Finistère prefect in July 2022, was challenged due to its proximity to the Kergadiou menhirs, which are over 4000 years old and classified as historical monuments.

Conflict Between Historical Heritage and Energy Development

The Kergadiou menhirs, located just 540 meters from the site of the third planned wind turbine, have been listed as historical monuments since 1883. The court ruled that the installation of these wind turbines would have a degrading visual impact on these archaeological landmarks, thus altering the perception and scale of these megaliths within their environment. This conflict between heritage preservation and energy project implementation is a recurring issue in France, where infrastructure development must balance the demands of energy transition with the protection of cultural assets.

The court also highlighted that other megalithic sites, located within a radius of 1,000 to 1,750 meters, would be affected by the wind turbine installation, including the Traon-Igou menhirs, the Mesdoun menhirs, and the Mezou Poulyot dolmen. Local heritage preservation associations, such as the Association for the Protection of the Aber Ildut and the Association for the Safeguarding of Iroise Landscapes, supported the appeals filed by residents to cancel this project.

Local Opposition and Overlooked Negative Opinions

The prefect’s decision to maintain the project despite numerous negative opinions was a major point of contention. The architect of French historical buildings, the municipalities of Plourin and Lanildut, as well as the investigating commissioner, had all expressed concerns about the project’s impact on the landscape and heritage. The site, located at an altitude of 50 meters and three kilometers from the coast, offered direct visibility to several of the region’s emblematic landmarks, including the Iroise Marine Natural Park, the islands of Ouessant and Molène, and the Four lighthouse.

According to the court, the presence of wind turbines would have disrupted the readability of the protected landscapes of the Saint-Laurent peninsula and the Landunvez tourist route. This decision reflects a broader trend where courts are increasingly prioritizing the protection of heritage sites over industrial projects, particularly in regions like Brittany, where historical heritage is closely tied to local identity.

Impact on Wind Energy Development in France

The cancellation of this wind project is not an isolated case. France has experienced several similar incidents, where wind farm deployment has been suspended or halted due to its impact on heritage or on landscape conservation. This creates a paradoxical situation for renewable energy developers, who must navigate between the imperatives of the energy transition and local regulatory constraints. The current legal context could potentially slow down the expansion of onshore wind energy, at a time when the country aims to strengthen its renewable production capacity to meet its decarbonation targets.

In 2023, over 40 wind projects were blocked by similar court decisions, highlighting the need for developers to better anticipate heritage risks when planning new projects. This situation has led to a revision of environmental assessment procedures to better integrate heritage issues at the early stages of project development.

Industry players are now calling for a clearer legislative framework to reduce legal uncertainties and facilitate the development of infrastructures while respecting cultural heritage. This case underscores the importance of finding a balance between the growth of renewable energies and the preservation of historical elements that shape local landscapes.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Swedish wind developer Eolus has issued senior secured green bonds worth SEK550mn ($51.5mn), enabling the full refinancing of its existing debt.
The Mattheshöhe wind farm, composed of six turbines with a unit capacity of 4.26 MW, has entered operation under ENERTRAG’s management in the Uckermark region.
The Mattheshöhe wind farm, composed of six turbines with a unit capacity of 4.26 MW, has entered operation under ENERTRAG’s management in the Uckermark region.
French group VALOREM has inaugurated a 27 MW wind farm in Kozani and plans 515 MW of additional projects in Greece, reinforcing its investment strategy in the local market.
French group VALOREM has inaugurated a 27 MW wind farm in Kozani and plans 515 MW of additional projects in Greece, reinforcing its investment strategy in the local market.
Enel Green Power North America will increase its consolidated renewable capacity in the US through a wind asset swap agreement with Gulf Pacific Power, for a net consideration of $50mn.
Enel Green Power North America will increase its consolidated renewable capacity in the US through a wind asset swap agreement with Gulf Pacific Power, for a net consideration of $50mn.
Clean Energy Technologies announces a non-binding agreement with a European renewable energy developer, supported by a $4.4mn capital raise for a transaction estimated at $85mn.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has completed the installation of its third offshore HVDC converter platform, marking a major step in the development of the world’s largest offshore wind farm under construction.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has completed the installation of its third offshore HVDC converter platform, marking a major step in the development of the world’s largest offshore wind farm under construction.
Danish company Ørsted completed ahead of schedule the installation of 24 subsea foundations off Taiwan’s coast for its offshore wind farm Greater Changhua 2b, using a non-piling technology.
Danish company Ørsted completed ahead of schedule the installation of 24 subsea foundations off Taiwan’s coast for its offshore wind farm Greater Changhua 2b, using a non-piling technology.
Facing rising costs and industry hesitation, Tokyo is considering major regulatory adjustments to boost its ambitious offshore wind program, crucial for the country’s energy diversification.
Facing rising costs and industry hesitation, Tokyo is considering major regulatory adjustments to boost its ambitious offshore wind program, crucial for the country’s energy diversification.
Italy's Ministry of the Environment has approved the environmental impact assessment for the Barium Bay project, clearing the way for its participation in a 3.8-GW offshore tender.
French group VALOREM is launching a crowdlending campaign in Finland to finance early-stage development of a large-scale wind project in the municipality of Kiuruvesi.
French group VALOREM is launching a crowdlending campaign in Finland to finance early-stage development of a large-scale wind project in the municipality of Kiuruvesi.
After being suspended in April, the Trump administration lifted the freeze on Equinor’s offshore Empire Wind project, reviving a $2.5bn construction site expected to power 500,000 homes.
After being suspended in April, the Trump administration lifted the freeze on Equinor’s offshore Empire Wind project, reviving a $2.5bn construction site expected to power 500,000 homes.
ENERCON’s E-175 EP5 E2 prototype fed electricity into the grid for the first time this week. The model is positioned as the new flagship in the German manufacturer’s onshore turbine range.
ENERCON’s E-175 EP5 E2 prototype fed electricity into the grid for the first time this week. The model is positioned as the new flagship in the German manufacturer’s onshore turbine range.
Norway has launched a floating wind tender at Utsira Nord, including a subsidy cap of NOK35bn ($3.37bn) despite economic pressures hampering the sector.
BVH1 s.e.n.c., a partnership between Boralex, Énergir and Hydro-Québec, has secured funding for a 400 MW wind project under construction on private land in the Seigneurie de Beaupré.
BVH1 s.e.n.c., a partnership between Boralex, Énergir and Hydro-Québec, has secured funding for a 400 MW wind project under construction on private land in the Seigneurie de Beaupré.
ENGIE North America plans to supply up to 300 MW of electricity to Cipher Mining for a Texas-based data centre through a local wind facility.
ENGIE North America plans to supply up to 300 MW of electricity to Cipher Mining for a Texas-based data centre through a local wind facility.
Boralex announces quarterly net earnings of CAD 41 million, marked by a 4% decrease in energy production, despite successfully commissioning its first wind farm in the United Kingdom.
Boralex announces quarterly net earnings of CAD 41 million, marked by a 4% decrease in energy production, despite successfully commissioning its first wind farm in the United Kingdom.
Greencoat Renewables sold five onshore wind farms in Ireland to HitecVision for €156mn, enabling the creation of a new joint energy platform focused on the growth of mid-life renewable assets.
Masdar and Samruk-Kazyna are collaborating to develop renewable energy and storage projects in Kazakhstan, targeting 500 MW of baseload energy and up to 2 GW of storage capacity.
Masdar and Samruk-Kazyna are collaborating to develop renewable energy and storage projects in Kazakhstan, targeting 500 MW of baseload energy and up to 2 GW of storage capacity.
The Ishwati Emoyeni project, valued at ZAR4.9bn ($263mn), marks a first in South Africa with a power purchase agreement signed by licensed trader NOA Group and has now entered its construction phase.
The Ishwati Emoyeni project, valued at ZAR4.9bn ($263mn), marks a first in South Africa with a power purchase agreement signed by licensed trader NOA Group and has now entered its construction phase.
Japanese group Eurus Energy has launched the construction of a 13.5 MW onshore wind farm in the Gangwon mountains, with commercial operations scheduled to start in November 2026.
Japanese group Eurus Energy has launched the construction of a 13.5 MW onshore wind farm in the Gangwon mountains, with commercial operations scheduled to start in November 2026.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ CI V fund has signed an agreement to divest 10% of its offshore wind project Fengmiao I to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, with commissioning expected by the end of 2027.
The Crown Estate receives ministerial approval to amend seabed rights for seven offshore wind farms, paving the way for an additional 4.7GW of offshore wind capacity.
The Crown Estate receives ministerial approval to amend seabed rights for seven offshore wind farms, paving the way for an additional 4.7GW of offshore wind capacity.
Italian group ERG has completed an 18 MW wind farm in Pas-de-Calais, backed by a 20-year contract for difference and developed without external partners.
Italian group ERG has completed an 18 MW wind farm in Pas-de-Calais, backed by a 20-year contract for difference and developed without external partners.
Rising installations and the integration of predictive technologies are driving the wind turbine operations and maintenance market, projected to hit $59.67bn by 2030, according to MarketsandMarkets.
Rising installations and the integration of predictive technologies are driving the wind turbine operations and maintenance market, projected to hit $59.67bn by 2030, according to MarketsandMarkets.

Advertising