Renewable energy producer UNITe has been awarded two photovoltaic projects in the Puy-de-Dôme department. The plants, located in the municipalities of Avèze and Malauzat, were selected under the latest “PPE2 PV Sol” call for tenders published by the Commission de régulation de l’énergie (CRE). Both projects focus on converting underutilised municipal land into electricity generation sites.
An agrivoltaic model in Avèze
The Avèze project, with a capacity of 11.7 megawatts, involves a plot of land undergoing natural reforestation. The plan includes restoring the area to pasture and installing an agrivoltaic plant. This approach will enable a local sheep farmer to expand her operations, supported by additional agricultural infrastructure. The site is expected to generate 12.3 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually under a 30-year agreement. The land is jointly owned by the municipality and the Syndicat mixte de gestion forestière (SMGF), which co-initiated the project.
Rehabilitation of a polluted site in Malauzat
The second project, located in Malauzat, targets a former storage site for construction materials deemed unsuitable for agriculture. The new plant, with a capacity of 1.9 megawatts, will include around 3,000 solar panels and is expected to generate 2.5 gigawatt-hours annually over 40 years. The location is isolated from residential zones and did not face significant public opposition during consultations.
Adjustments to reduce ecological impact
Both projects were scaled down following ecological assessments. In Avèze, several wooded areas were excluded from the site to protect habitats of the European wildcat and the boreal tit, two protected species. A nearby wetland was also avoided. In addition, UNITe will finance the rehabilitation of a neighbouring monoculture forest damaged by parasites.
In Malauzat, surveys identified the presence of the protected moth Eriogaster catax, listed on the national red list. To safeguard its habitat, hawthorn bushes were relocated in late 2024. The project also bypassed poplar groves, hay meadows and forested zones. Bat shelters will be installed on a preserved building on the site.
Projects driven by local authorities
The municipalities of Avèze and Malauzat initiated the call for tenders and selected UNITe as the developer. As landowners, they oversaw the competitive bidding process. This local governance model supports site integration and economic use of non-productive land.
Construction of the two power plants is expected to begin in the coming months, pending final administrative approvals. Each project will follow a specific schedule, aligned with the ecological sensitivities identified during the impact assessments.
