Neoen, a prominent renewable energy producer, and SNCF Energie, the green energy arm of SNCF Voyageurs, have signed a landmark 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for 139 MWp of solar energy.
This pivotal agreement will supply enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of the annual consumption of the high-speed Paris-Marseille rail line, marking a major step towards sustainable transportation in France.
Le Couret: A Flagship Agrisolar Project
Le Couret, a 139 MWp agrisolar farm located in Haute-Vienne, France, will generate solar energy. Neoen owns Le Couret entirely, making it the company’s second-largest asset in France and the nation’s most extensive solar park operating under a PPA with SNCF.
Construction and Commissioning Timeline
The Le Couret project has secured all necessary authorizations and grid connection approvals, with construction scheduled to commence in 2026 and commissioning expected in 2028.
Combining Solar Energy and Sheep Farming
In a unique approach, Le Couret will integrate renewable electricity production with sheep farming.
The 150-hectare site will serve as grazing land for a significant flock of sheep, promoting local agriculture while generating clean energy.
The project incorporates dedicated facilities to support farming operations, including a farmhouse, hay barn, shearing area, and sheepfold.
Statements of Commitment to Sustainability
Guillaume Decaen, Neoen’s French Development Director, expressed pride in the company’s early adoption of agrisolar concepts, emphasizing the dual benefits of supporting local farming and producing low-carbon electricity for train operations.
Olivier Menuet, President of SNCF Energie and Director of Ecology and Energy Transition at SNCF Voyageurs, highlighted the agreement’s alignment with SNCF’s long-term commitment to responsible energy procurement. This PPA brings SNCF closer to its goal of securing 20 PPAs, totaling 1.1 TWh of renewable electricity.
Richard Fécamp, General Manager of SNCF Energie, emphasized the contract’s potential to be the largest solar park under PPA to date, showcasing the scale and impact of this initiative.
Xavier Barbaro, Neoen’s Chairman and CEO, underscored the company’s increasing role in decarbonizing the transport sector, having signed over 2 GW of PPAs worldwide with major industry players. He reiterated Neoen’s dedication to being a preferred partner for companies seeking sustainable energy solutions globally.