European renewables developer Q Energy has reached a significant milestone, completing 30% of the construction of its 74.3-megawatt (MW) floating solar farm in northeastern France. The project, situated on a former quarry, is slated to power up in the first quarter of 2025.
The company recently announced the project's provisional commissioning schedule in a LinkedIn post, following an on-site visit with town council representatives. Once operational, the Les Ilots Blandin plant will mark the largest floating photovoltaic (PV) project in Europe to date.
With an estimated capacity to generate electricity for approximately 37,000 people annually, the solar farm will play a crucial role in France's renewable energy landscape. Spread over 127 hectares (313.8 acres) of flooded gravel pits, the project will feature 134,649 solar modules attached to floats, forming six islands.
France-based Ciel & Terre International is responsible for manufacturing the floating structures for the project, as previously announced.
Q Energy's French team initiated the project in 2019, and it emerged as one of the winners in the French government's PPE2 tender in August 2022. This tender reflects France's commitment to bolstering its renewable energy infrastructure and transitioning towards a sustainable future.
