The Group attaches the utmost importance to land sobriety and wants to act responsibly with regard to the land it owns or uses under concession. Accordingly, the Group’s entities make sure they limit land take and soil sealing, and optimise and use land in accordance with regulations, particularly by implementing innovative solutions in favour of multiuse of land. The entities attach the utmost importance to preventing pollution risks.
New industrial developments are preferentially positioned on existing man-made sites. Appraisal and site restoration operations are carried out by EDF’s internal engineering entities with the assistance of external service providers.
| Assessments | A mapping and zoning of land areas for industrial use is systematically carried out. |
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| Man-made sites | In the context of the post-Fukushima works, the built-up areas for the 56 buildings housing the emergency diesel generators are located on existing land take. The EPR under construction in Flamanville stands alongside the pre-existing Flamanville 1-2 facilities. |
| Conversion of old thermal sites | The land strategy put in place at the DPNT (Nuclear & Thermal Fleet Department) assists with the conversion of old thermal sites for new industrial uses. In 2021, two old thermal power plant sites were converted into EDF Renewables photovoltaic plants: the zone of the old plant block of the former Ambès plant (Gironde) and a damaged area of the old Artix plant (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). |
When it comes to new renewable energies, the plants prioritise the Group’s properties as well as derelict sites. Photovoltaic panels are installed on plant new builds, car park roofs or sun shades (in 2021, total photovoltaic modules: 14,402, total power: 6.2MW).
EDF Renewables prioritises derelict sites and develops all its projects based on the “Prevent Minimize Offset” (PMO) hierarchy plus systematic impact assessments.
However, to achieve the goals set by the Multi-year energy programme in France, derelict sites will not be sufficient. On specific sites presenting biodiversity issues, environmental management plans and accompanying measures will be implemented, which will meet the requirements to protect species and biodiversity and promote positive impacts (differentiated management, late mowing, etc.) (1).
| Compatibility with crop or livestock farming activities |
The French “climate and resilience” act of 22 August 2021 (2) states that natural or agricultural spaces occupied by a photovoltaic park do not count as land take if the ecological functions of the soil are not lastingly affected and if the facility remains compatible with a crop or livestock farming activity (3). For EDF Renewables projects, the feasibility of grazing is systematically assessed based on the type of site, biodiversity issues, or the presence of interested farmers. The same compatibility rule is applied by Luminus in Belgium: the Ath solar park set up on the Hoganasva industrial site will be equipped with a planted screen featuring more than 900 indigenous melliferous plants and the green spaces near the panels will be maintained by Ouessant sheep. |
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| Agri-PV | With regard to the development of ground-based photovoltaic projects involving agricultural land within the territories, EDF Renewables, the French Chambers of Agriculture and the FNSEA signed a charter of best practices on 19 January 2021, focusing on responsible and coordinated land use. |
| Floating photovoltaic plants | The aim of this technology is to set up a power plant on a lake or dam, as floating solar power plants enjoy maximum sunshine and the coolness of the water to cool the panels, optimising their yield. Several EDF Hydro entities are currently working on initiatives and bidding on invitations to tender. |
(1) In addition to not using phytosanitary products on all the parks it manages.
(2) French Act 2021-1104 of 22 August 2021 combating climate imbalance and increasing resilience faced with its effects (JORF (i.e. Official Journal of the French Republic) number 0196 of 24 August 2021).
(3) A decree is pending to specify the terms of the Act.
