Veolia Unveils Ambitious 300-MW Solar Rollout Plan in France

French utility company Veolia on Monday announced an initiative envisaging the deployment of 300 MW of solar power capacity at restored landfill sites in its home country.

The programme is aligned with the water and waste management and energy services company’s plan to make its domestic services energy self-sufficient.

Specifically, the scheme calls for the construction of more than 40 photovoltaic (PV) plants at selected landfill sites considered to be non-hazardous. The solar panels will be installed across some 400 hectares (988 acres) of land and are expected to generate electricity to supply roughly 130,000 French inhabitants. The first plants are slated to begin operations by 2027.

Additionally, Veolia said it will assess the feasibility of installing solar PV panels at hazardous waste landfill sites, as well, and on sites it manages on behalf of its industrial clients. The company estimates the initiative could lead to the construction of 400 MW of solar parks.

"We're aiming for more than 40 projects within the next three to four years, but we could go faster with the removal of administrative hurdles and the simplification of procedures,” said CEO Estelle Brachlianoff.