SNCF Energie, a subsidiary of SNCF Voyageurs (French railway company), announced that it signed a 25-year direct renewable corporate PPA with Neoen, France’s leading independent renewable energy producer. The solar farm will provide SNCF Voyageurs with 172 GWh of renewable electricity each year.
The solar park’s output is equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 67,000 residents (including heating). For SNCF Voyageurs, the production of this new photovoltaic park is equivalent to its annual electricity needs for its Paris-Marseille TGV line or the entire needs of its TER trains in the Occitanie and Normandy regions.
Designed in close consultation with local elected officials and the Departmental Chamber of Agriculture, the Couret solar farm will combine sheep farming and renewable electricity production in the same space. The project involves the installation of a sheep farmer on an area of 150 hectares: the installation of solar panels has been designed to allow for the best breeding practices while optimising animal welfare. A residential house, redeveloped farm buildings for hay storage and sheep shearing, and a sheepfold adjoining the agrivoltaic park will be made available to the farmer. Training for two apprentices in managing a herd in an agrivoltaic park is also planned.
Energy Buyers Toolkit