The solar parks not only produce green electricity, but are also used for sheep grazing. This marks another milestone for BayWa r.e. in the conversion of brownfield sites into energy, agricultural and ecological land. The former military sites were cleaned up and cleared of mines as part of the transformation.
On the decommissioned La Martinerie military base near Châteauroux in central France, two solar parks will generate 82 GWh of solar power per year, which corresponds to the electricity consumption of around 38,000 citizens. While the 40 MW “Greenberry” solar park was only recently commissioned, its predecessor “Blueberry” has been in operation since 2021 with an installed capacity of 30 MW.
Preserve local biodiversity
The electricity needs of a further 38,000 people are covered by the three solar parks, Fontenet I, II and III. The plants are located on the former Fontenet military base in Charente-Maritime and also generate 82 GWh per year. Following the completion of Fontenet I in 2014 and Fontenet II in 2022, the construction of Fontenet III was recently completed.
In order to preserve local biodiversity and reduce mechanical maintenance of the solar parks, BayWa r.e. has concluded contracts for sheep grazing at both sites. Additional measures to protect orchids, reptiles and small mammals have been implemented at Greenberry and Blueberry. In Fontenet, BayWa r.e. is also supporting the local community by installing solar panels on the roof of a community building.
Also see: PV project in France with hydrogen, storage and community participation
“We are proud to have successfully completed these flagship projects. By transforming the former military areas, we are achieving a triple benefit: ecological, through the conversion into pastureland, energy, through the installation of solar panels, and climatic, through the production of green electricity, which saves more than 58,000 tons of CO₂,” explained Benoît Roux, Managing Director of BayWa r.e. France.
Pyrotechnic decontamination required
“This example of land redevelopment in the context of the energy transition is another milestone for our innovative and local approach in France. With a strong regional presence, we are determined to create positive impacts and benefits for the local community. Renewable energy is a driver for rural and environmental development - not only solar energy, but also wind energy, as the French team recently demonstrated with the 9 MW Quilly wind farm, which was fully sold to the local community,” adds Céline Tran, Regional Director of Projects Europe South-West at BayWa r.e.
Also see: BayWa – Liquidity secured until end of September
The La Martinerie and Fontenet military sites both have a rich history dating back to the first half of the 20th century. La Martinerie housed a pilot school from 1915 and the 3rd Fighter Squadron from 1920. The Fontenet military camp was built in the interwar period. From 1951 to 1969, these bases housed NATO troops before being closed in the 2000s.
Pyrotechnic decontamination was required before these areas could be cleaned up. Several grenades were secured at Fontenet and a 250 kg bomb was unearthed at La Martinerie in 2023. (hcn)
