EDF Group has inaugurated the Lazer floating solar power plant in the Hautes-Alpes, the first for its EDF Renewables subsidiary in France and the first to combine photovoltaic and hydroelectric production on the same site. The installation effectively doubles the renewable electricity production capacity of the existing hydroelectric site.
With over 50,000 solar panels, the Lazer floating solar power plant boasts an installed capacity of 20MWp. This soutput is expected to meet the annual electricity consumption needs of approximately 12,500 people. The project aligns with France's goals to achieve 100GW of solar capacity by 2050.
The primary aim of the solar power plant is to complement the dam's operations, particularly during the summer months when water from Lazer Lake is primarily used for crop irrigation. The anchoring and float system of the plant allows it to adapt to changes in the reservoir's water level without impacting its functionality.
The journey of the Lazer floating solar power plant began in 2017, and it emerged as the winner of the Energy Regulation Commission's call for tenders in 2018. A crowdfunding campaign in 2021 successfully raised funds from local residents, allowing them to invest up to €179,000. Construction commenced the same year, involving geotechnical studies and the installation of anchors. The photovoltaic panels were assembled on floats, forming islands that were transported to their final location by boat. The plant is now operational and expected to operate for approximately three decades.
Bruno Bensasson, Executive Director of EDF Group's Renewable Energies Division, highlighted the significance of the Lazer floating solar power plant in terms of innovation and expertise within the EDF Group: “For this first in France, EDF Renewables relied on its know-how developed abroad with four floating solar power plants built in the United States and Israel. By coexisting two sources of renewable electricity production on the same site, this project contributes to the achievement of the French objectives of carbon neutrality by 2050 while reducing the pressure on ordinary land.”
In addition to the Lazer facility, EDF Renewables plans to commission further new solar power plants in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in 2023, bringing their total solar production capacity in the area to 85MW. Furthermore, EDF Renewables is currently constructing the first pilot floating offshore wind farm, which will be located approximately 17 km off the coast of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône.
