“He’s the next Beynac”. A sentence which obviously evokes the years of debates between the president of the Departmental Council and his opponents for the construction of the diversion to Beynac. In Orliac, a small town in Périgord Noir with around fifty inhabitants, a project is starting to install wind turbinesso that the Dordogne also participates in the production of renewable energy. “This is just the genesis of the project”explains Valérie Boyer, head of territorial dialogue within Iberdrola, the project leader.
According to the company, this wind farm project with a capacity estimated between 15 and 33 MW, is initially being established in a study area of approximately 400 ha in 5 municipalities concerned (Orliac, Prats-du-Périgord , Ste-Foy-de-Belvès, Salles-de-Belvès, Mazeyrolles). This park could supplying around 5,440 homes with 11,950 inhabitants with green electricity. “It is for this reason that we want to take the time to discuss with the population and local elected officials in order to show that this project does not distort the landscape”continues the manager of Iberdrola.
“We must preserve the Périgord Noir”
A project which is already encountering strong opposition. Since the end of August, a citizen collective “Vent Debout Périgord Noir” was built to organize the fight against this project. “We don’t want wind turbines in our beautiful landscape”says Nicolas Schneider, vice-president of the association. “There is noise, lights and then a wind turbine is also an ecological aberration because you have to bury masts, with concrete in the floors, whereas the priority today should be to protect these floors”continues this resident of Orliac.
Nicolas Schneider also highlights that the installation of a wind farm will, according to him, lead to a drop in real estate prices. “If I have wind turbines in front of my window, I will lose 100,000 euros in the value of my house. And this will be the case for all the local residents”he argues.
Wind power, a way to survive as a farmer
A speech that some residents of Orliac do not understand, like the mayor of the town, Christian Ventelou. A farmer, he is ready to welcome on his land. “It’s a significant financial benefit and at a time when times are difficult, I believe we have the right to take an interest in it. Last year, I earned 7,000 euros, no more. It's very little.”says the elected official.
According to initial estimates, hosting a wind turbine could bring in between 500 and 600 euros per month. “I don't have children and if I have to pass on my farm, it helps to convince and allow young people to get started. And then, it also benefits local communities and if we want to survive, we must take advantage of it”specifies Christian Ventelou. He also specifies that he steps back as mayor to avoid illegal taking of interests.
Both camps claim to hear each other's opinions, claim to want to discuss, even if Christian Ventelou confirms that he “has already had threats and his name is currently being tarnished because of this project”.
