Project: BayWa r.e. 17ha (14,6 MW) ground-mounted solar park of Fontenet 2
Location: Department of Charente-Maritime, municipality of Fontenet
Cost: 45 000 EUR
Dates: The project began in 2017, works during 2021-2022, operational since Q2 2022
Objectives: Adhere to the mitigation hierarchy in a former military camp where there were strong ecological issues (protected butterflies, bird nesting, rare habitats).
Avoid adverse impacts on irreplaceable habitats (functional dry lawns). Address risks, be inclusive and equitable, and be transparent.
Measures undertaken: Sensitive biodiversity areas were identified during environmental studies for the permit application. Dry lawns were identified, which large blue butterflies (Phengaris arion) utilised for reproduction. These habitats and species are rare locally and required specific protection. Avoiding impacts on sensitive areas during works by marking them on the ground as sensitive and informing site workers to avoid these areas. Provided environmental site specifications summarising measures for biodiversity, pollution risks, noise, etc., with location maps. These specifications were read and signed by the construction site companies and monitored by an external ecological study office. The reports were also shared with local authorities. Implemented a construction schedule which avoided the most sensitive period for local biodiversity, especially the breeding period. Planted hedges on the edge of the park (native, locally-sourced trees), and seeded to encourage vegetation growth, with a local environmental NGO (Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels de Nouvelle-Aquitaine) which takes the seeds from natural meadows nearby. Assessed the implementation of environmental measures on site and launched monitoring for the operational phase after agreement
with the local authority.
Results: Areas set-aside for environmental protection are well preserved and monitoring has revealed the presence of the large blue butterfly (Phengaris arion).
Challenges:
- Involving works personnel in the protection of biodiversity, particularly for the avoidance of set-aside areas;
- Conducting the majority of works during the less favourable autumn and winter months, and encountering possible construction delays, to respect wildlife breeding seasons; and
- Limiting soil impact during construction to allow rapid recovery and growth of vegetation and to limit erosion.
Success factors:
- Regular communications with on-site works personnel;
- Engaging an external expert to implement ecological measures, for continued environmental monitoring throughout the operational phase, and to publish regular progress and status reports;
- Partnerships with local NGOs helped define and implement environmental measures; and
- Involving stakeholders, especially local authorities.
Images copyright: BayWa r.e.