VALOREM and SEM Saône-et-Loire Énergies Renouvelables join forces to support the agrivoltaic project in Saint-Léger-lès-Paray (71)

VALOREM, an independent green energy operator, represented by Bertrand Guidez, Deputy Managing Director, and SEM Saône-et-Loire Énergies Renouvelables (SEM SELER) have formalised their partnership with a view to developing and operating an agrivoltaic project in the commune of Saint-Léger-Lès-Paray (71). SEM SELER is participating in the co-development of the project, in particular by providing VALOREM with its expertise in dialogue with local stakeholders. The result of long-standing discussions, this signing comes at a time when the application for administrative authorisation for the project, submitted in August 2023, is currently being examined. A public enquiry is expected in the coming months.

A strategic partnership serving territorial development.

Launched at the end of 2020 with the approval of the Saint-Léger-lès-Paray town council, this agrivoltaic project combines agriculture and solar energy production on private land. It came into being at a time when agrivoltaics was still an emerging field, both locally and nationally. Local stakeholders, agricultural experts and government departments were consulted throughout the project, helping VALOREM to design and build a viable agricultural project.

The land will be made available to a young farmer with strong roots in the Charolais region who wants to set up a long-term business. The plots, currently used for crops and energy wood, will be adapted for the establishment of a sheep farm.

With a total output of 16.4 MWp, the solar panels will be installed on mobile structures that follow the path of the sun. Each year, they will produce around 24 GWh of green electricity. This is equivalent to 12% of the total electricity needs of the Greater Charolais region (residential, industrial, tertiary and agricultural) and avoids the emission of almost 9,000 tonnes of CO2, compared with the production of a gas-fired power station.
Following regulatory agricultural, technical and environmental studies, the application for planning permission was submitted in August 2023 and is currently being examined by the government authorities. The public enquiry is expected in the coming months.
Convinced that local players, local authorities and public companies must be closely involved in developing their renewable resources, VALOREM is putting in place various forms of co-development. The partnership with SEM SELER, which has become a 20% shareholder in the project company, comes within this context. SEM SELER is contributing all its expertise in consultation and dialogue with stakeholders, and is actively participating in the need for energy transition in its region.