Voltalia to build hydropower project in France

Voltalia has been selected by the municipalities of Chamonix-Mont Blanc and les Houches for the construction and operation of a 4.5MW run of the river hydropower plant, on the Taconnaz torrent.

The electricity sales contract of the won project runs over a 20-year period.

The Taconnaz hydropower project follows the call for proposals launched on August 12, 2015 by the Chamonix-Mont Blanc and Les Houches municipalities. It is part of the Haute-Savoie Territorial Energy Climate Plan, which has set a 20% target of renewable energy in the region’s final energy consumption in 2020. The plant is expected to cover the annual electrical consumption of about 4,800 households, close to 90% of both communes’ population. The hydropower plant should be commissioned in 2019, and the secured energy sales contract secured runs over a 20-year period.

The Taconnaz torrent rises under the Mont Blanc glacier of the same name. Featuring one of the best hydro potential in the valley, the selected waterfall has been identified by Voltalia long before the call for projects. The site is already extensively developed and features a snow fence; therefore, Voltalia can benefit from existing infrastructures.

In addition to the particular care paid to the selection of this excellent and anthropized site, Voltalia has demonstrated the virtues of its local and collaborative approach. In order to make the most of the project’s local economic benefits, the company teamed with renowned local partners: the civil engineering company Benedetti-Guelpa, a regional leader in the sector, and the engineering firm Girus. Furthermore, Voltalia’s hydropower plant provides the municipalities two types of revenues: not only will they receive royalties throughout the project’s life, but they will also have the option to buy into the capital of Voltalia’s dedicated project company.

“We are very proud that our project has been selected and that our local and collaborative approach as well as our technical expertise were distinguished by both municipalities”, congratulates Sebastien Clerc, CEO of Voltalia.