September 29, inauguration of the photovoltaic power plant
The 1st panel of the solar power plant was officially installed on November 14, 2019. Ten months later, ECT and AKUO inaugurate the “Les Gabots” photovoltaic power plant in Annet-sur-Marne.
One of the largest solar farms in the Paris region
The solar power plant, comprising 44,000 photovoltaic modules, covers an area of 18.5 hectares. It avoids 847 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. Electricity production covers the power supply needs of 3,700 households, or almost 10,000 inhabitants. It makes the commune of Annet-sur-Marne (population 3,300) a positive-energy commune.
Giving a second life to derelict land
The plant is the result of a partnership between Akuo and ECT, through their joint subsidiary ACT-E. The solar panels are installed on inert earth embankments, optimizing their inclination and giving the site a second life. Akuo and ECT plan to duplicate the “Les Gabots” project on other projects in the Paris region. The aim is to develop photovoltaic energy production in particular, reaching 100 MWp at sites operated by ACT-E.
A crowdfunding campaign is open to all citizens
In addition to the participatory investment supported by local authorities, Akuo and ECT have decided to give all citizens the opportunity to benefit from the profitability of the “Les Gabots” solar power plant by offering them the chance to participate in refinancing the project through participatory lending on its AkuoCoop digital platform. Over €500,000 was raised in less than 30 days.
This scheme is designed to encourage citizen financing of the energy transition, by relying on the local authorities who are the key players. Since its creation, the platform has raised over 7 million euros in just 4 years to finance 13 green energy production plants.
"This ambitious project contributes to our region's reputation in the field of renewable energies. It's an emblematic project made possible by the Region's investment via Ile-de-France Energies, with an equity stake of €450,000. Ultimately, it's a concrete expression of our solar plan.
"Annet wanted to participate in the urgently needed energy transition [...]. Today, Annet has one of the largest solar farms in the Paris region, maintained by ecopaturage. In this way, we are contributing to sustainable development. Christian Marchandeau, first deputy mayor and former mayor of Annet-sur-Marne, concludes: "This solar park is our town's greatest asset.
"This power plant, the result of our partnership with ECT, is a source of pride for the Akuo Group, as it is our first photovoltaic power plant in the Paris region, and already one of the largest in the region. The quality of its visual integration on the site is exceptional. We are thus fully in line with the mobilization plan for the ecological transformation of the Île-de-France region initiated by the President of the Region, Valérie Pécresse. We are convinced that the development of photovoltaic energy in the Paris region will take off in the next few years, particularly on abandoned or artificial land".
"ECT's business model is to identify land for development and to devise non-built development projects, reusing excavated soil from construction sites in the Paris region, in full consultation with local elected representatives. We felt it was important to broaden our offering to local authorities with renewable energy solutions. Given our ability to shape and mold soils to the right slope, we naturally turned to photovoltaic energy. ECT is very proud of this 1st joint operation with Akuo, which has given rise to this powerful solar power plant in Annet-sur-Marne.
