A solar power plant project resurfaces in Larzac, in a lighter version

During a press conference, the leaders of the company based near Montpellier announced the holding of a public consultation between November 16 and 29, explaining that nothing had yet been decided.

"We do not come with a scenario proposal, but with the results of new studies, so we propose to discuss four major themes in a very open way, in order to create a territorial project", explained the wind power development manager and solar energy from Arkolia Energies, Mickaël Scudeller.

With its Solarzac project, Arkolia Energies initially planned to cover 220 to 400 hectares of solar panels in the small town of Cros, located in an area classified as Natura 2000 and UNESCO World Heritage as part of the cultural landscapes of Mediterranean agro-pastoralism.

The initiative was massively rejected locally and criticized by organizations for the defense of the environment and agricultural land during a first consultation, in 2019. Without giving up, Arkolia Energies undertook to offer a smaller version of its project.

The company is now considering an area of ​​solar panels of 150 to 200 ha, capable of producing the equivalent of the electricity consumption of 100.000 to 130.000 people (excluding heating). She also wants to strengthen the agro-pastoral dimension of the project, as the installations allow, according to her, the presence of herds of sheep.

"The rest of the surface (800 ha minimum) could be put in management with organizations working for biodiversity" and "tourism activities (hiking, mountain biking) could also find their place on the site", explained the promoters. of Solarzac, whose commissioning is expected in 2026. The investment, of around 150 million euros, would be fully supported by Arkolia Energies.

The consultation program is available on the site www.solarzac.fr. The closing public meeting is scheduled for December 2 in Salelles du Bosc, not far from the site planned for the solar power plant.