The EnerGeek Haute-Alpes: electrical connection for the floating photovoltaic power plant at Lac de Lazer Written by: La Rédaction next events:

On August 4, 2021, the management of EDF Renouvelables, prime contractor for the floating photovoltaic power plant at Lac de Lazer, in the Hautes-Alpes, visited the electrical connection site for the project, started by Enedis on 2 August 2021. The 20 MW power station, located on the reservoir of a hydroelectric power station, should be commissioned in the spring of 2022.

Floating photovoltaic power plant at Lac de Lazer: Enedis begins work to connect it to the electricity grid

A virtuous synergy: using the water reservoir of a hydroelectric power station to install a photovoltaic power station there floating is a good way to answer the burning question of the need for land to develop solar power in France. EDF Renouvelables is precisely piloting a project of this type on Lake Lazer, in the Hautes-Alpes.

"Thanks to this innovative technology, the same water reservoir will produce hydroelectricity and solar electricity: combining these two renewable energies is an additional advantage in contributing to the renewable energy development objectives set by the government. », Said Nicolas Couderc, Director France of EDF Renewables, this August 4, 2021.

In February 2021, Enedis kicked off the construction of the Lac de Lazer power plant, with essential preparatory electrical work. The distribution network manager notably installed an electrical outlet at the Ventavon Source Post, and buried nine kilometers of cables.

On Monday August 2, 2021, Enedis began the final stage of this electrical work, connecting the future power plant to the public electricity distribution network of the municipality of Lazer.

A first for EDF Renewables

Next, EDF Renewables will manage the installation of floats and photovoltaic panels on the water reservoir. Eventually, they should occupy two-thirds of the artificial lake, i.e. a total area of ​​24.5 hectares, for an installed power of 20 MW (equivalent to that of the hydroelectric power station).

The total duration of the work is estimated at 13 months, and there are currently no delays. Commissioning is therefore still scheduled for spring 2022. The Lac de Lazer plant will thus be the first floating photovoltaic plant installed by EDF Renouvelables.

For the time being, only one plant of this type has been in service in France, in Piolence, in the Vaucluse, since 2019. Many projects are underway, but several, such as those of the lakes of Caussade or Leyritz- Moncassin run into opposition from local farmers.