Free signs its first wind energy contract in France with H2air

Free has formalised its first wind electricity supply agreement with H2air, securing an annual supply of 19 GWh for 15 years from the Limodores wind farm in Haute-Marne.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Telecommunications operator Free has formalised a renewable electricity supply contract, its first wind-based agreement in France, with energy producer H2air. The agreement covers four wind turbines at the Limodores wind farm, located in Rochefort-sur-la-Côte in Haute-Marne, providing Free with an annual supply of 19 gigawatt-hours (GWh) over a period of 15 years, starting on 1 January 2026.

Strategic commitment for Free

This contract is part of the environmental strategy of the iliad Group, Free’s parent company, aimed at increasing its supply of low-carbon energy through direct electricity purchase agreements, known as Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Since January 2021, iliad has implemented this strategy in France, Italy, and Poland. The agreement with H2air represents the group’s first partnership of this kind in the French wind sector, following several similar agreements for solar energy.

Wind electricity production from the Limodores farm will cover a significant portion of Free’s total energy consumption in France. Together with other contracts signed by iliad, this new project will bring the total volume of renewable electricity available to the company in France to 96.8 GWh, covering approximately 16% of its annual energy needs from 2027 onwards.

A farm integrated into the local territory

Developed and operated by the company H2air, the Limodores wind farm was commissioned on 1 May 2024. The project has received strong support from local authorities since its inception in 2010. Its location on the Barrois plateau ensures optimal integration into the regional landscape, blending forests and agricultural clearings.

Operational management of the site is provided by regional subsidiary H2air GT, specialising in technical operations and environmental monitoring. The Limodores farm has already commenced its second year of extensive environmental monitoring, including devices measuring impacts on local wildlife, particularly bat populations.

Official statements during signing ceremony

At the official signing event, Nicolas Thomas, Managing Director of Free, stated: “Our group will purchase electricity produced by four turbines of the Limodores farm for 15 years. With this project, we secure our long-term energy supply, reduce our carbon emissions, and strengthen our local presence.”

Camille Vandenbeuck, Deputy Managing Director of H2air, emphasised: “We are proud to supply Free with their first wind PPA in Europe, demonstrating our company’s capability to meet the needs of major energy operators.”

The Australian government has granted environmental approval for the 108 MW Waddi Wind Farm, a Tilt Renewables project with construction costs exceeding $400mn.
The 180 MW Nimbus wind project enters its final phase of construction in Arkansas, with commercial operation scheduled for early 2026.
Faced with market uncertainty in Europe, Siemens Gamesa pauses a planned industrial investment in Esbjerg, highlighting structural difficulties in the offshore wind sector.
Institutional deadlock in France delays tenders and weakens the offshore wind sector, triggering job cuts and major industrial withdrawals from the market.
The Lithuanian energy group has signed a EUR 318 million financing agreement for its 314 MW wind project, the largest in the Baltic states.
German group BayWa r.e. has tasked Enercoop Bretagne with implementing a citizen investment scheme for its planned wind farm in Plouisy, aiming for shared governance and stronger local involvement.
US wind capacity fell in Q2, but developers anticipate a sharp increase by late 2025, with 46 GW of new capacity forecast by 2029 and a peak in 2027.
Engie has signed a renewable electricity supply contract with Apple covering 173 MW of installed capacity in Italy, with commissioning scheduled between 2026 and 2027.
Renova a soumis une méthodologie d’évaluation environnementale pour un projet éolien terrestre de 280MW à Higashidori, renforçant son positionnement sur les technologies renouvelables au Japon.
The joint venture between BP and JERA ends its offshore wind ambitions in the United States, citing an unfavourable economic and regulatory environment for continuing the development of the Beacon Wind project.
With a 300 MW partnership signed with Nadara, Q ENERGY exceeds 1 GW of wind repowering projects in France, reinforcing its position in a market driven by public investment dynamics.
The acquisition of Cosmic Group by FairWind consolidates its position in Australia and marks a strategic expansion into New Zealand and Japan.
Danish manufacturer Vestas has paused construction of its planned facility in Poland, originally set for 2026, citing weaker-than-expected European offshore wind demand.
British operator Equitix has been selected to take over transmission assets of the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, a £450mn ($547mn) project awarded under Ofgem’s tenth tender round.
Energiequelle GmbH has launched replacement work for old turbines at its Minden-Hahlen site, aiming for long-term structural maintenance with the installation of three new 200-metre machines.
GE Vernova will equip the Ialomiţa wind farm with 42 turbines of 6.1 MW, strengthening its presence in the European onshore wind sector with a 252 MW project in partnership with Greenvolt.
Eversource Energy posts a one-time $75mn charge linked to unforeseen costs in the Revolution Wind project, while tightening its 2025 earnings forecast.
The Renewables Infrastructure Group has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement with Virgin Media O2 for its onshore wind farms in the United Kingdom, ensuring price stability for both parties.
Eight local associations in Normandy and Hauts-de-France will receive a total of €120,000, financed by revenues from three RWE wind farms, to support public-impact projects in 2025.
CWP Europe formalised two major projects in Albania and Montenegro with backing from the European Commission, reinforcing the Balkans’ integration into the European energy market.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.