123Venture, who have been investing in renewable power since 2005, have built two new green energy projects; a wind farm in the Pyrenees and another in the Ardennes. The investments total about 92 million euros. It seems forests or mountains are no bar to seeking out the best spots to harvest wind for power.
The wind turbine farm is in Thiérache, and has been built on land in the areas of Antheny, Champlin and Auvillers-les-Forges in the Ardennes. It was commissioned in the last quarter of 2013, which was the conclusion of a very lengthy development process that started in 2006.
The wind farm was built by Quadran and joint-funded through the BPI France and Triodos banks. The wind farm did not generate much controversy and is an example of a successful project that was well accepted by both the local authorities and residents in the localities concerned.
There are 11 wind turbines installed in this area of the Ardennes Regional Natural Park and together generate a total of 27.5 MW of power, producing 66 GWh of energy each year. That’s sufficient to provide green energy for the consumption of 28,000 people. The site, which represents a total investment of 42 million euros, will be operated and maintained by Quadran.
In another development Eole-RES has signed an agreement with the manufacturer to construct the Haut Chemin wind farm in the Champagne-Ardennes region using ten Vestas V100 2MW turbines. The contract includes delivery, installation, commissioning and a 15-year service and availability agreement. Construction will start in the next month or so, with commissioning due this Summer.
Eole-RES is a subsidiary of RES Méditerranée, which develops, builds and operates renewable energy plants, mostly in the Mediterranean region. This latest contract represents the developer’s 15th order from Vestas.
France has the third-best wind in Europe, after the UK and Germany, but recently there were some questions about what lay behind the enthusiasm of some towns and cities mayors for wind farms in their areas:
According to a recent report in the authoritative French newspaper Le Figaro, it seems there are a considerable number of local mayors and councillors who are promoting the installation of wind farms in their commune, when they themselves owners of the land on which the wind farms are being installed.
These revelations have come to light following a landmark court case in the Nord department of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, where local residents were successful in obtaining a court order for the demolition of a wind farm.
That’s a real shame if the story is true; while we all want more renewable energy, the consultation, investment and construction should be open and above board.
