MND will build the world's first energy-neutral urban cable car in Saint-Denis, Réunion

This new line will connect the lower part of Bellepierre to the La Montagne plateau in just 4 minutes, transforming the daily lives of thousands of residents. A true alternative to the car, it will open up the highlands while reducing nuisances, pollution, and travel times.

A world first, ZÈL La Montagne will be the first 100% energy-neutral urban cable car. It will be integrated into a comprehensive complex: a multimodal transport hub, park-and-ride facilities, bicycle storage, pedestrian access, and a panoramic viewpoint. It is scheduled to open in the summer of 2028.

An innovative and exemplary project for Reunion Island

MND is very familiar with this area and this project: in 2020, the group had already won the contract to carry out all the studies. As CINOR subsequently modified the program, a new consultation was launched. By choosing MND and its partners again, CINOR reaffirmed its confidence and demonstrated a strong commitment: to develop a co-constructed solution, designed with elected officials and local teams, to precisely meet the residents' expectations regarding urban integration, mobility, and quality of life.

ZÈL La Montagne will be the world's first 100% energy-neutral urban cable car. Its operation will rely on a next-generation Smart Grid: an intelligent energy system that combines energy recovery during descents with photovoltaic installations covering all stations and ancillary buildings. This system will produce as much energy as it consumes annually, including for the needs of ancillary infrastructure (buildings, parking lots, and related areas), guaranteeing a zero carbon footprint for its operation.

MND will be the primary shareholder in the company operating and maintaining the facility, alongside SODIPARC and STEM INTERNATIONAL. This direct involvement guarantees the long-term viability of the facility and MND's commitment over time, as well as strong involvement from local businesses and the creation of direct and indirect jobs throughout the project's duration.

According to Xavier Gallot-Lavallée, President of MND: “We sincerely thank CINOR for their trust. With the La Montagne cable car, we are achieving a world first: the first Net Zero Energy urban cable car. A pioneering model of sustainable mobility, capable of covering 100% of its annual consumption through its own production, and establishing itself as a global benchmark in low-carbon transport.”

A strong identity, rooted in the territory

In Réunion Creole, "ZÈL" means "wings." This name expresses movement, lightness, and freedom. It embodies the project's ambition: to give wings to La Montagne, to open up this neighborhood perched above Saint-Denis, and to recreate a link between the city and its peaks. Like the white-tailed tropicbird (the totem bird of Réunion) that soars over the ocean and the mountains, the cable car embodies this aerial movement that connects residents and reshapes urban mobility.

The two iconic cabins, named "Le Belvédère," are distinguished by a clean and open design, conceived as a bridge between sky and landscape. Adapted to the tropical climate, they prioritize natural ventilation and offer a warm interior (terracotta seating, light wood, wood-effect flooring).

The pylons, inspired by both the banyan tree (a majestic symbol of rootedness and life) and the white-tailed tropicbird, are designed as visual landmarks within the landscape. Their slender silhouette blends discreetly into the surrounding environment, minimizing the land footprint and preserving the local biodiversity. This approach reflects a commitment to environmental responsibility, combining technical performance with sustainable landscape integration.

The project's design was developed in collaboration with the Lyon-based agency Avant-Première, a leading name in urban transport for over 30 years, and its founder Éric Rhinn, renowned for his work on iconic projects such as the Riyadh metro, the tramways of Brest, Luxembourg, and Liège, and the Brest cable car. Their approach combines innovation, local identity, and user comfort to create a unique travel experience.

According to Nicolas Chapuis, Deputy Managing Director of MND: “La Montagne perfectly illustrates MND’s mission: to offer innovative mobility solutions that respect the environment and are adapted to the specific characteristics of each territory. With this project, we are offering a technical, architectural and energy-efficient solution in the heart of an exceptional site.”

With ZÈL La Montagne, Reunion Island confirms its position as a pioneering territory in sustainable mobility. An innovative, practical, and poetic project that unites the people of Reunion around a common ambition: to revitalize the city and bridge the gap between the highlands and lowlands.

Technical specifications:

• Back-and-forth cable car, 2 cabins of 50 passengers, length: 1.315 m, elevation change: 308 m.
• Speed: 7,5 m/s – Travel time: 4 min 08 s.
• Throughput: 605 people/hour/direction.
• Energy recovery system and photovoltaic panels
• 2 unique pylons, positioned at the entrance/exit to preserve the wooded area.
• Silent tractor cable and anti-vibration technology.
• Wind resistance up to 28 m/s, in operation.
• Centralized control station, operation without a lookout.