Work on a solar power plant in Saint-André-de-l'Eure, between Évreux and Dreux, began in mid-September. The 22,000 photovoltaic panels will be put into service next summer. They have the particularity of being built on old runways of an aerodrome. They date from the Second World War, but no planes land or take off on them anymore, because these runways were weakened by bombings.
This ten-year-old project is the result of a partnership between SIEGE27 (intercommunal electricity and gas union of Eure), the Évreux Portes de Normandie agglomeration, the commune of Saint-André-de-l' Eure and the SEM transition euroise energy.
A 3 kilometer hedge
These tracks are located on either side of departmental road 53. A 3 km hedge will be planted to hide the power station. Holes have been dug in the hedge to make it easier for rabbits and lizards to pass through. The associations present on the aerodrome will be able to continue their activity, but it was necessary adapt the orientation of the solar panels to avoid dazzling the pilots.
This project will cost 11 million euros. The energy created will provide the equivalent of 3,000 homes with electricity. 14 gigawatt hours should be produced per year. The rental of the land will bring 10,000 euros per year to the municipality.
