The Haut Chemin 2 wind farm, developed by Q ENERGY, was officially inaugurated in Biesles, in the Haute-Marne department. Comprising seven turbines, this project expands the original Haut Chemin wind farm commissioned in 2014. It adds 26 megawatts (MW) to the existing 20 MW facility, bringing the site’s total capacity to 46 MW. This infrastructure would supply electricity to approximately 29,500 additional people.
A joint operation with Velto Renewables
Velto Renewables, a newcomer to the French wind sector, now holds a 50% stake in the project. The inauguration was attended by company representatives, the mayor of Biesles, and regional officials. This marks Velto Renewables’ first wind operation in France, as it aims to establish a long-term footprint in the sector. Q ENERGY’s installed capacity in Haute-Marne now exceeds 300 MW.
Construction was completed less than a year after the site’s initial development began. The project took ten years to develop, mainly due to prolonged administrative procedures before obtaining final authorisations. Local elected officials and permitting authorities played a decisive role throughout the process.
Structured fiscal and local impact
The wind farm will generate approximately EUR250,000 ($266,000) per year in taxes, distributed between the municipality of Biesles, the Chaumont Urban Community, and the department. This annual amount is expected to continue throughout the farm’s operational lifespan, reinforcing local budgetary resources. Meanwhile, a tree distribution initiative is planned for local residents, as part of the community engagement measures initiated during project development.
The Biesles site is one of several projects developed by Q ENERGY in the department. After commissioning Europe’s largest floating solar park earlier this year in Perthes, the company continues its regionally rooted rollout strategy.
