VALOREM Group, Bpifrance, and Crédit Agricole Transitions & Energies finalise the financing of the Lavausseau wind farm (86) and celebrate three years of partnership dedicated to the energy transition
VALOREM Group is proud to announce the financial closing of the Lavausseau wind farm project, located in Vienne (86). This achievement reflects the strength and mutual trust of the partnership between VALOREM, Bpifrance, and Crédit Agricole Transitions & Energies, alongside its banking partners, Crédit Agricole’s regional branches* and LCL.
Lavausseau: a flagship project for the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region
With an installed capacity of 18.9 MW, the Lavausseau wind farm comprises 5 Nordex N131 turbines. Its annual production of nearly 43 GWh will supply the equivalent electricity consumption of 9,500 households, meeting approximately 19.3% of the residential electricity needs in the Haut-Poitou Community of Communes**.
Initiated in 2015 with the support of the Boivre-la-Vallée municipality, the Lavausseau project complements the neighbouring La Plaine des Moulins wind farm, currently under construction in Jazeneuil. Together, these two projects will form a major regional wind complex, comprising 10 turbines with a total capacity of 36.9 MW.
Construction of the Lavausseau wind farm will commence in 2025, with commissioning planned for spring 2026. This installation will not only strengthen the regional electricity grid, which already hosts 8.4% of France’s connected wind capacity***, but also contribute to achieving the Néo Terra regional roadmap’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050.
A model partnership for renewable energy, built on trust and commitment
The financial closing of the Lavausseau project marks another milestone in the long-term collaboration between VALOREM Group, Bpifrance, and Crédit Agricole Transitions & Energies, supported by Crédit Agricole’s regional branches and LCL. Over the past three years, this strategic partnership has financed a portfolio of 162 MW of onshore wind projects across 10 sites, representing a total investment of €293 million, including €241 million in senior debt financing.
This portfolio – including the wind farms at Rose des Vents (53), Saint-Amans (81), Valtoret (81), Amoures (34), Cheniers (51), Cuxac (11), Voulpaix (02), Rouans (44), La Plaine des Moulins (86), and Lavausseau (86) – supports VALOREM’s strategic objective of achieving 1 GW of owned and operational capacity by 2025.
A portion of the fees earned by Bpifrance and Crédit Agricole Transitions & Energies is donated to Watt For Change, VALOREM Group’s endowment fund dedicated to combating energy poverty since 2016.
* Crédit Agricole Touraine Poitou, Crédit Agricole Centre Loire, Crédit Agricole Centre Ouest
** ENEDIS 2019 (excluding heating and hot water)
** French Renewable Electricity Panorama, 31 December 2023 © Agence ORE / RTE / ENEDIS / SER
We are delighted with the partnership established with our banking partners since 2022 for the financing of our greenfield wind projects, as well as the support of all the advisors involved in these transactions. This long-term collaboration recognises the quality of the assets developed by VALOREM Group.
This new financing with VALOREM illustrates Crédit Agricole’s ability to support a historic player in the energy transition over the long term. Through this operation, we are proud to contribute to the Watt For Change endowment fund, which promotes a fair energy transition in France and globally.
We are very pleased to continue supporting VALOREM Group, a key player in renewable energy production in France. This series of financings for 10 wind farms demonstrates Bpifrance’s capacity to back energy transition projects, including new business models such as CPPA agreements.
VALOREM Group also extends its gratitude to all experts and advisors who contributed to the success of this partnership: WATSON FARLEY & WILLIAMS – legal advisor for lenders, legal audit and documentation, NATURAL POWER – lenders’ technical advisor, MARSH – insurance audit, EVEROZE – energy yield expert, NOVEO – hedging advisor, and ESTER – pre-hedging advisor.
About VALOREM Group
VALOREM Group is an independent French operator in renewable energies with more than 30 years of experience. With a strong expertise in technical studies, project development, construction, operation & maintenance, VALOREM masters the entire spectrum of green electricity production. With more than 520 employees, VALOREM is active in France and internationally in Finland, Greece, Sweden and Poland. It has a portfolio of 7 GW of projects under development, and over 902 MW under construction and operation.
VALOREM is certified ISO 9001 – quality, ISO 14001 – environment, and ISO 45001 – occupational health and safety.
In 2021, VALOREM became a mission-led company: “Promoting local energies together to pave the way for a sustainable and inclusive future”.
About Crédit Agricole Transitions & Energies
A subsidiary of the Crédit Agricole Group, Crédit Agricole Transitions & Énergies supports and facilitates its clients’ environmental transitions through three main activities:
– Financing renewable energy and energy transition projects
– Producing and supplying renewable electricity through local short supply chains, in cooperation with regional stakeholders, supported by investment and financing solutions
– Providing consultancy and transition solutions, helping clients implement energy efficiency measures
Crédit Agricole Transitions & Énergies comprises a team of 70 experts dedicated to serving individuals, professionals, businesses, farmers, and local authorities.
Follow us on LinkedIn
About Bpifrance
Bpifrance’s equity investments are managed by Bpifrance Investissement. Bpifrance supports businesses at every stage of their development through loans, guarantees, and equity investments. It assists companies in their innovation projects and international expansion. Bpifrance now also facilitates export activities with a comprehensive range of products.
Its services also include consultancy, training, networking, and acceleration programmes for startups, SMEs, and mid-sized businesses.
With 50 regional offices, Bpifrance provides entrepreneurs with a close, dedicated, and efficient contact to help them tackle their challenges.
For more information, visit: www.Bpifrance.fr – https://presse.bpifrance.fr/ / Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @Bpifrance – @BpifrancePresse
Press Contacts
VALOREM GROUP
Camille GIRARD – Head of Communication
camille.girard@valorem-energie.com / 06 46 30 71 85
CRÉDIT AGRICOLE TRANSITIONS & ÉNERGIES
Françoise BOLOLANIK
francoise.bololanik@ca-transitions-energies.fr / 07 64 61 33 70
BPIFRANCE
Sophie SANTANDREA
sophie.santandrea@bpifrance.fr / 07 88 09 28 17