Iberdrola has won its first floating solar plant project in France with a total capacity of 25 megawatt-peak (MWp) as part of a tender launched in June 2022 by the municipality of Kurtzenhouse (67) in Alsace. As part of its strategy to establish itself sustainably in France, Iberdrola will specialise in the development of floating solar PV projects on active industrial sites.
"We are very proud to contribute to the development of green energy production solutions in the municipality of Kurtzenhouse. This project strengthens Iberdrola France's position in the Grand Est region. In this region, the company is already developing a solar power plant for Solvay to supply green electricity to its plant in Tavaux (Jura). In parallel, Iberdrola is also working in Moselle on a 3 MW agrovoltaic solution to optimise milk production on a farm," said Thierry Vergnaud, Iberdrola France director of the onshore division (onshore wind and photovoltaic).
"The installation of this floating solar power plant represents a real opportunity for our territory. This green energy production project contributes to the energy autonomy of the territory while fighting against global warming in a context marked by rising electricity prices," stressed Marc Moser, mayor of Kurtzenhouse.
The floating solar power plant will be developed, built and operated by Iberdrola at the Bischwiller quarry, which is partly owned by the municipality of Kurtzenhouse.
During the construction and operation phase of the plant, Iberdrola takes into account the presence of these activities and will ensure their continued operation.
The floating solar power plant will occupy an area of approximately 13.5 hectares of the 28 hectares available at the quarry.
Since January 2023, Iberdrola has launched environmental and technical studies in order to determine and opt for the most suitable technological solution for the project and the site. These studies will be completed in early 2024.
The application for a construction permit must be submitted in spring 2024 for commissioning in late summer 2026. The lifetime is 30 years. The plant will have an installed generating capacity of 25 MWp, and will produce around 27 GWh of green electricity annually. The electricity will be fed into the distribution grid to be consumed locally by around 10,000 Alsatian households.
At the end of the plant's operation, Iberdrola will assume 100% responsibility for the decommissioning and renovation of the site.
Iberdrola will give priority to local companies for the construction of this plant, which will mobilise around 80 jobs and 6 permanent direct and indirect jobs in the operation and maintenance phase.
Iberdrola has been present in France for twenty years and develops, builds and operates renewable energy projects in the country, with a focus on respect for the environment and the social and economic development of the regions where its facilities are located. The company plans to invest around 4 billion euros by 2025, mainly in renewable energy projects.
In France, Iberdrola operates 11 wind projects with a total installed capacity of 118 MW. The company is developing a portfolio of wind and photovoltaic projects of more than 800 MW at different stages of development, based in Paris and with regional offices in Lyon, Nantes, Nancy, Bordeaux, Limoges and Marseille. In addition, it is currently building a 496 MW offshore wind farm in the bay of Saint-Brieuc to be commissioned in December 2023.
