EDF Energies Nouvelles has announced the commissioning and official opening of the La Narbonnaise photovoltaic solar power plant in the Aude region of France. With a capacity of 7MWp, this facility is claimed to be the largest solar power plant currently in operation in mainland France.
According to the company, built on land owned by the Narbonne local community authority, the solar farm is located on industrial wasteland in the commune of Narbonne.
The power plant will provide the electric grid with the equivalent of annual electricity consumption of over 4,200 people and prevent the emission of 2,752 tonnes of CO2 per year. This capacity should be regarded in relation to the current installed capacity of 54MWp supplying the French national grid, said the company.
The power plant has 95,000 modules using thin film technology, as an alternative to conventional solar panels made from silicon. These modules were supplied by US-based First Solar.
Paris Mouratoglou, chairman of EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDF-EN), said: “ We would like to be able to set up power stations in regions other than in the south of France, to allow the country to catch up with other markets and establish itself as a major solar energy market, generating investment, innovation and jobs.”
