In Piolenc, Akuo inaugurates the extension to the O’MEGA 1 floating solar power plant

Piolenc proudly welcomes the extension of the O'MEGA 1 floating solar power plant, propelling the town towards a more sustainable energy future. This expansion marks a major milestone in the transition to renewable energies, while promoting organic farming and preserving the local environment.

Share:

O'MEGA 1

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

Akuo today inaugurates the extension of the O’MEGA 1 floating solar power plant in Piolenc. The event was attended by the Prefect of Vaucluse, Violaine Demaret, the Mayor of Piolenc, Louis Driey, and Akuo Managing Director Nicolas Couderc. This extension makes the O’MEGA 1 floating solar power plant the largest in France.

Extension of the O’MEGA 1 floating solar power plant: Increased power and agricultural impact

The O’MEGA 1 floating solar power plant was inaugurated in October 2019, marking the first deployment of a plant of this scale in France. The extension, called O’MEGA 1 Bis, includes a new island with a capacity of 5 MWp, bringing the total installed capacity from 17 MWp to 22 MWp. As with O’MEGA 1, construction of this extension was entrusted to Bouygues Energies & Services, an Equans subsidiary.

Since its commissioning in July 2022, the extended park has generated a total of 25,500 GWh per year, meeting the renewable and local electricity needs of over 5,700 households. What’s more, it saves more than 2,500 tonnes of CO2 every year, equivalent to the emission of 5,750 round-trip car journeys between Lille and Marseille.

The extension of the floating solar power plant has also made it possible to develop the agricultural aspect of the project. In collaboration with Piolenc’s municipal teams, several farmers have been given 6 hectares of land to grow experimental organic crops, including thyme, rosemary, lavender, pistachio, yuzu and pomegranate. On the site, they have already installed windbreak trees, a fence and a water pump to create an environment conducive to these crops.

Ecological impact and local support: environmental monitoring of the O’MEGA 1 solar power plant and community mobilization

Ecological monitoring of the flora and fauna of the O’MEGA 1 site has been carried out by an independent consultancy since the first floats were installed. The first conclusions, to be delivered at the end of 2021 and 2022, point to positive effects. Protection of the site has transformed the area into a preserved and peaceful zone for wildlife, encouraging rapid regrowth of vegetation along the banks. The reed beds, in particular, have become important habitats for the fish and birds that frequent the lake. The plant’s floats also serve as a resting area for many birds, keeping them away from land-based predators.

The solar power plant and its extension have aroused great enthusiasm in the local community. A crowdfunding campaign began in autumn 2021 via AkuoCoop, the Akuo Group’s crowdfunding platform. The campaign raised 560,000 euros from citizens and local businesses keen to participate in the energy transition and the local economy. In all, between O’MEGA 1 and its extension, 1.185 million euros were invested in the plant thanks to this initiative, testifying to the strong mobilization of local communities.

A shared vision for a sustainable future: when the municipality and Akuo join forces for O’MEGA 1

The Mayor of Piolenc, Louis Driey, comments: “The inauguration of the extension to our power plant is the crowning achievement of a partnership with Akuo that has lasted several years. With Akuo, the municipal team is resolutely committed to the ecological transition (photovoltaic power plant, development of organic farming and initiation of future generations with the leisure center) and thus supports the advent of the law on renewable energies. I would add that the piolençois project was at the origin of the creation of the AkuoCoop participative platform.

Nicolas Couderc, Akuo’s CEO, adds: “It is a great source of pride for Akuo and our teams to inaugurate the extension of our first floating solar power plant. We are also proud to be working closely with a municipal team so committed to energy transition and local development. The success of this first project is reflected in our ability to replicate it successfully. Indeed, we are commissioning two new Akuo floating solar power plants, one in Occitanie and the other in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.”

Aura Power has finalised financing for its fourth UK solar plant in twelve months, backed by Rabobank, bringing its under-construction capacity to 242 MWp across the country.
The Tützpatz solar project, developed by Vattenfall and powered by GCL System Integration, combines energy production and agricultural use across 93 hectares without public funding.
The PairPHNXX system, designed for rapid deployment in areas without grid access, targets agricultural, military, and industrial markets with a turnkey modular technology.
Ascent Solar Technologies has delivered samples of its flexible photovoltaic technology to two companies for testing in extreme environments, at sea and in space.
Geronimo Power has started construction of the Bee Hollow solar project, valued at $54mn, in St. Clair County, delivering jobs, tax revenue and a partnership with the IMEA municipal agency.
The British government has approved Tillbridge Solar Farm, a 500-MW solar power plant with 2,310 MWh of energy storage, developed by Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy.
wpd solar France has launched construction of a 140.6MWc photovoltaic park in Marcy, in the Nièvre department, integrating agricultural co-activity across 632 hectares in partnership with five local farms.
Independent energy producer CVE has inaugurated a 12 MWc solar farm on municipal land in Volx, generating 19 GWh annually and an estimated €5mn in economic returns over 30 years.
GreenYellow strengthens its presence in the French overseas territories with the acquisition of 18 rooftop photovoltaic installations in Réunion, totalling 3.1 MWc in capacity, as part of a strategy to consolidate its decentralised energy assets.
The rapid rise of agri-voltaic projects in France raises concerns over agricultural impact, land speculation and the economic viability of a still-emerging model.
Norwegian developer Empower New Energy expands in North Africa with a strategic partnership involving ten industrial solar sites for self-consumption in Tunisia.
Chinese manufacturer JA Solar has started initial deliveries of its 650W n-type DeepBlue 5.0 module from its automated production site in Yangzhou.
Melvan is issuing local bonds to co-finance two photovoltaic projects in Avignon and Sault, aiming to supplement a total budget of EUR5.5mn ($5.82mn).
The 50 MW Kong solar power plant marks a new step in Côte d’Ivoire’s national grid expansion, with CFA37bn ($60.5mn) in funding and commissioning set for early 2027.
EDP will accelerate two major solar projects in Australia after securing government-backed contracts under the Capacity Investment Scheme.
Westbrooke Real et son partenaire CVE South Africa ont racheté un portefeuille solaire couvrant 91 stations Shell en Afrique du Sud, marquant un transfert d’actifs majeur dans le secteur énergétique local.
The commissioning of the 195 MW Springbok plant introduces the continent’s first utility-scale multi-buyer model, reinforcing the growth of power wheeling in South Africa.
The consortium led by Engie and Masdar has been selected to develop a 1.5 GW photovoltaic plant in Abu Dhabi, aimed at expanding the emirate’s solar capacity under its long-term energy strategy.
T1 Energy invests in private solar cell manufacturer Talon PV to support industrial expansion of the U.S. solar sector and address rising grid demand.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is reviewing a loan for a 100 MW photovoltaic project led by Qair in Tunisia, backed by a long-term power purchase agreement with the national utility.

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.