EDF Group celebrated the inauguration of the Lazer floating solar power plant, marking the first project of its kind by EDF Renewables (a subsidiary of EDF Group) in France. It is also the first site in the country that combines photovoltaic and hydroelectric production. The power plant, situated on the lake of a hydroelectric dam operated by EDF, doubles the renewable electricity production capacity of the site. With over 50,000 panels and a capacity of 20 MWp, Lazer’s floating solar power plant provides energy equivalent to the annual consumption of 12,500 individuals. This contributes significantly to France’s goal of achieving 100 GW of solar capacity by 2050.
The floating solar power plant at Lazer not only increases the functionality of the dam but also ensures a continuous electricity supply during the summer months when water from Lazer Lake is used for crop irrigation. Its innovative anchoring and float system enables it to adapt to the varying water level in the reservoir, without affecting operations.
This project commenced in 2017 and was selected as the winner of the Energy Regulation Commission’s call for tenders in 2018. In 2021, a successful crowdfunding campaign was launched, allowing local residents to invest up to €179,000 in the initiative. Construction of the power plant began in the same year, starting with geotechnical studies and the installation of anchors. Subsequently, the PV panels were assembled on floating platforms, transformed into islands, and then towed by boats to their final positions. Presently, the floating solar power plant is operational and expected to serve for approximately 30 years.
The Lazer floating solar power plant reinforces the commitment of EDF Renewables in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. As part of their expansion plans, EDF Renewables will commission five new solar power plants in 2023, including the Lazer facility. These are in addition to the existing five operational solar power plants, elevating EDF Renewables’ solar production capacity in the region to 85 MW.EDF Renewables is also constructing the region’s first pilot floating offshore wind farm, situated approximately 17 km off the coast of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône (13).
Bruno Bensasson, Executive Director of the EDF group in charge of the Renewable Energies Division, noted, “We are proud to inaugurate today the Lazer floating solar power plant, a perfect illustration of the complementarity of expertise within the EDF group and our capacity for innovation. 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.”
