Two new solar power plants in Ariège: ECLA'EnR continues its civic commitment

After the Saint-Paul-de-Jarrat photovoltaic power plant, the ECLA'EnR cooperative (Local Citizen Energy in Ariège) inaugurated, Thursday, November 14, two new solar power plants installed in Ariège.

Firstly, at 2:30 p.m., inauguration of the solar roof of the Mas-d'Azil gymnasium: here, 480 m² of roof were covered with panels for a power of 100 kWp, a cost of €96,774 and an annual production of 110,000 kWh (equivalent to 37 homes).

Then, at 4:00 p.m., inauguration of the solar roof of the headquarters of the Arize-Lèze community of communes in Fossat: there, 1,443 m² of roof were covered with panels for a power of 300 kWp, a cost of €287,999 and a annual production of 350,000 kWh (equivalent to 117 homes).

As soon as the fourth solar power plant, in this case that of the Cadirac school, is inaugurated, the total investment for these four projects will reach €500,000, financed by borrowing from a bank. The ECLA'EnR association, for a total annual production of 625,000 kWh, will receive approximately €70,000 annually from EDF (purchase of the kWh between 10 and 12 cents).

Taking into account inflation, the amortization of the operation will be spread over 15 years, after which the association will benefit from five years of profitability before handing over the installations free of charge to the community of communes of Arize-Lèze, which will in turn be able to draw a subsidy from it.

These two new inaugurations in the Arize-Lèze cantons reinforce the territorial anchoring of ECLA'EnR and the strong desire of local stakeholders to include their territory in the energy transition by calling on this association.

For François Richier, president of ECLA'EnR, the current difficulty lies in the reputation of the cooperative. It invites citizens to join the association, either through financial means (taking shares of €50 to €500), or through volunteering. In this project, 80 members invested €12,000, the State having co-financed an equivalent amount (€1 for each euro committed), i.e. a capital of €24,000, to which is added €1,000 contributed by other structures public.

“Developing carbon-free energies by relying on an association to carry out this type of project is doubly virtuous. We need to talk about ECLA’EnR, about this project,” declares MP Laurent Panifous.

“An example of a collaborative, engaging and exemplary project, which ticks all the boxes: it attracts the support and involvement of various stakeholders. The State supports, co-finances, and this exemplarity deserves to be multiplied in Ariège,” adds sub-prefect Catherine Lupion.

Finally, all the speakers praised the commitment of Mr. Yvon Lassalle, mayor of Pailhès, leader of the project within the community of municipalities for five years, in partnership with the PNR. The glass of friendship offered by the community of communes closed these two beautiful ceremonies.