The extension of the Mont-Soleil power station is not unanimous. While the bourgeoisie of Saint-Imier discussed the second version of the project last Tuesday, the opponents made their protest heard a few days later, last Friday. This project is undertaken as part of “Solarexpress”, the emergency measure adopted by the federal parliament in September 2022. The objective is to increase the production of solar energy, particularly during winter and while preserving the environment and human activities. This second version was developed following the withdrawal of certain owners, even though the plan had been validated. It is less concentrated according to the promoters who spoke of a “laboratory” to explain what the area will become. “This is not a haphazard project, it is an innovative project,” defends Serge Terraz, president of the bourgeoisie of Saint-Imier.
Several experts were commissioned to study the consequences of this extension on the environment. “It is the Confederation which requests scientific monitoring (…). It is important to know what the impact is on nature,” explains Beat Reidy, professor of agronomy at the Bern University of Applied Sciences. The photovoltaic panels will be installed at a height of 2m50 to allow free movement for livestock.
A “dark” sun for opponents
The “Mon Soleil Sombre” committee denounces the project to extend the solar power plant. Opponents presented their arguments last Friday: they mention attacks on fauna and flora but also on the landscape. “With these planned structures, the panorama, the landscape, will be completely blocked,” regrets Frédéric Oppliger of “Mon Soleil Sombre”. The committee of opponents is not satisfied with this second version.
Critics accuse the BKW of putting pressure on local politics on this issue. “Their objective is to do business,” explains Frédéric Oppliger. They also deplore the installation of this extension in an “intact area” of nature: “It’s a shame to affect the habitat of wild fauna for this type of structure”. The lack of communication with the population was also pointed out. The residents have not been sufficiently informed and are not sufficiently integrated according to Frédéric Oppliger.
The population of Saint-Imier will still have to decide on the project to extend the Mont-Soleil solar power plant on June 9. /amo-vfe-jad
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