French telecom Orange plans 5-MW solar farm

French telecommunications operator Orange SA (EPA:ORA) plans to deploy its first solar farm in Europe – a 5-MW installation – on the strategic satellite communications site at Bercenay-en-Othe, Aube department.

The company has signed a memorandum of agreement for this project with solar installer Reservoir Sun, it announced on Thursday.

Work on the project starts right away with an environmental impact analysis that is expected to continue for up to 12 months. The goal is to determine the potential impact on living species of the planned solar farm, which, if realised, would cover a surface area of 50,000 square metres.

Orange noted that out of the plant’s total capacity, 1 MW will be allocated for self-consumption purposes and the rest for reinjection into the grid. In all, the facility should be able to cover 20% of the site’s energy needs. It is expected to be completed in 2025.

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