French state-controlled utility EdF today started construction of its first floating solar photovoltaic (PV) unit in Lazer, southeast France, the firm announced.
The 20MW unit will be built on the reservoir of the 16.5MW Lazer hydro plant. EdF plans to build requisite anchor systems for the floating panels in the spring before installing floaters and PV panels. The facility is expected to be commissioned in the spring of next year.
EdF targets solar capacity growth of 1 GW/yr in 2021-28 as part of its revised solar strategy from last year. The firm previously envisaged growth of 1.5 GW/yr in 2020-25, 2 GW/yr in 2026-30 and 2.5 GW/yr in 2031-35.
But EdF's lower solar targets may not help the firm achieve its long-term objective of developing 30GW of installed solar capacity by 2035 and raising its share of the solar market to 30pc. The firm would need to add around 3.15 GW/yr in 2029-35 to meet its solar objectives.
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