Europe’s largest floating solar plant operational
Les Ilots Blandin, a 74.3 MW floating solar plant in France, begins operation and will supply electricity to 37,000 people annually.
Image for illustrative purposes
France: Europe’s largest floating solar power plant, Les Ilots Blandin, has officially begun operation in the Haute-Marne department of France. Developed by Q Energy and Velto Renewables, the project boasts a peak capacity of 74.3 MW and is located on the site of former gravel pits near the commune of Perthes.
The facility features 135,000 solar panels installed on six floating platforms, covering 45.5 ha of the site’s total 127 ha. The floating section contributes 72.3 MW of capacity, with an additional 2 MW from a ground-mounted installation.
Named after the land’s former owner, Etablissements Blandin, the plant is expected to supply electricity to 37,000 people annually and reduce CO₂ emissions by 18,000 t per year. Floating structures, modules, and inverters were supplied and installed by French company Ciel et Terre.
While floating solar systems offer a way to repurpose flooded or unused lands, economic challenges remain. Floating solar is more costly to build and maintain compared to ground-mounted systems. Furthermore, France’s current energy regulations do not differentiate between floating and ground-based solar projects during tenders.
The €50 M project was financed by Crédit Agricole Transitions & Energies and Bpifrance in late 2024. In early 2025, Spanish renewable energy firm Velto Renewables acquired a 50% stake.
Lucas de Haro, CEO of Velto Renewables, stated the company’s intention to establish a long-term presence in France, highlighting the project as a model of sustainable, locally aligned development.
Source: Balkan Green Energy News
#Ciel et Terre#floating solar plant#France#Les Ilots Blandin#Lucas de Haro#Q Energy#Velto Renewables
