Located in the commune of Mailhac-sur-Benaize, the 4.9 MWp solar power plant represents a major milestone in the field of renewable energies. Comprising some 8,850 photovoltaic panels, it generates enough electricity to power around 2,700 homes all year round.
Collaboration between EDF Renouvelables and the Commune
This marks the second solar power plant to be inaugurated in Haute-Vienne in 2023 by EDF Renouvelables, demonstrating the company’s commitment to promoting green energies. This initiative stems from a call for expressions of interest launched by the commune of Mailhac-sur-Benaize in 2016. After that, EDF Renouvelables developed the solar power plant on a site that was once a uranium mine operated by Orano.
Power Plant Development Process
The project followed a rigorous process, including study, consultation, appraisal and public inquiry phases, culminating in the granting of planning permission in 2020. What’s more, the project won a call for tenders from the French energy regulator CRE, guaranteeing a feed-in tariff over a 20-year period.
Commissioning and Economic Impact
After a year of construction work, the Mailhac-sur-Benaize solar power plant has been successfully commissioned, contributing to the supply of electricity to the public grid. At the same time, this project has a positive impact on the local economy, generating economic and fiscal spin-offs for the region. The project also involved several local companies, including Socotec in Limoges and ENCIS Environnement.
Taking environmental issues into account.
Luxel, a Limoges-based subsidiary of EDF Renouvelables, will operate and maintain the solar power plant. From the outset of the project, the team paid particular attention to environmental issues. In addition to converting a former uranium mine into a clean energy source, the company carried out in-depth ecological studies to protect local wildlife, notably by avoiding the northern part of the site.
EDF Renouvelables already has a significant presence in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, with 17 solar power plants and 7 wind farms with a combined capacity of around 213 MW. New renewable energy projects are also under development, such as the Le Theil solar power plant, due to start construction in 2024 in the Haute-Vienne region.
The inauguration of the Mailhac-sur-Benaize photovoltaic power plant is another step towards a sustainable energy future for the Haute-Vienne region. It brings both environmental and economic benefits, contributing to the region’s energy transition.
