French telecoms operator Free has signed its first wind power purchase agreement (PPA), securing 19 gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable electricity annually from the Limodores wind farm in Haute-Marne over a 15-year period.
The agreement, concluded at the site of the turbines in Rochefort-sur-la-Côte, will see energy from four turbines sold directly to Free by developer and operator H2air beginning January 1, 2026.
“This type of project is a triple win for us: securing our long-term energy supply, reducing our carbon emissions and further strengthening our regional presence,” said Nicolas Thomas, CEO of Free.
The power supplied under the deal is equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 3,520 households and is expected to help avoid 13,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the course of the contract.
The wind PPA is part of the broader Climate Plan launched by Free’s parent company, the iliad Group, in 2021. The plan aims to increase low-carbon energy capacity across France, Italy, and Poland.
With the addition of the Limodores project, Free’s renewable energy sourced through PPAs in France now totals 96.8 GWh per year. The company estimates this will account for 16% of its national electricity demand by 2027.
“We’re very proud to be supplying Free with renewable energy under its very first wind PPA in Europe. This agreement demonstrates H2air’s ability to meet the needs of large operators like the iliad Group,” said Camille Vanderbeuck, executive director at H2air.
Commissioned in 2024, the Limodores wind farm was developed with support from local authorities and businesses. Environmental monitoring at the site includes two years of bat activity studies to help balance power generation with biodiversity protection.
