PSeveral owners of the Réolais hillsides were contacted by the renewable energy producer RWE. The developer is looking for land likely to accommodate wind turbines. A meadow of less than one hectare is targeted. The prospecting area is located along the Terres Fortes road, straddling the municipalities of Saint-Hilaire-de-la-Noaille, Loubens and Saint-Sève.
The site meets several criteria: a high point far from homes in a windy corridor. “A representative from RWE came to see us. The company plans to launch a study to install three wind turbines 100 to 200 meters high,” reveals a resident of Saint-Hilaire, opposed to the idea of seeing blades rotating near his home. Theoretical technical elements were transmitted by the company: number of masts, production capacity, etc. Depending on the contracts, a wind turbine can bring in between 5,000 and 30,000 euros in rent per year for the owner of the land. This activity also generates tax revenue for communities.
National issue
Contacted by “Sud Ouest”, the RWE company refused to comment on these figures. But it confirms the surveys carried out in recent months. The company is not completely unknown in Réolais, it is the company that is carrying out another project near Sainte-Foy-la-Longue. Another windy high point in the territory. “We are not yet at the project stage,” slows the wind developer with both feet. The prospecting manager places this file on the timeline: “We have not yet contacted all the town halls or launched the environmental and technical studies, a very long process. It is impossible to provide figures at this stage. »
“Wind turbines will not be installed if the municipal councils are not in favor”
If the project is officially launched in the coming years, the number of masts should be limited for better landscape integration. The issue of social acceptability is high, especially in Réolais where ground-mounted solar park projects abound. RWE does not want to go through force and assures “that wind turbines will not be installed if the municipal councils are not in favor”. And this, even if the prefect is the only final decision-maker. The production of renewable energies is now a priority national issue. Wind power production is still non-existent in Gironde.
At the embryonic stage
At this stage, town halls in the sector are playing the card of caution. “The land is located next to a pretty wood full of pigeon groves. I’m not sure that this will please everyone,” sighs the mayor of Saint-Sève. Élian Ardouin assures that he has never been contacted by RWE. Ditto for the first magistrate of Loubens, Alain Breuille: “The municipal council recently positioned itself in favor of an agrivoltaic project (agricultural production backed by a solar park). I heard about the rumor of a wind project. The landscape issues are very different. The impact on our heritage would be much greater. »
The sub-prefecture, the Réolais community of communes and the town hall of Saint-Hilaire-de-la-Noaille were contacted by the company RWE. As for other agrivoltaic projects in progress in his municipality, the mayor of Saint-Hilaire Didier Lecourt wants “wide consultation with the population if the project takes shape”. RWE is not at that stage yet.
