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Video length: 3 min
Renewable energies: a participatory wind turbine project in Charente-Maritime
Renewable energies: a participatory wind turbine project in Charente-Maritime – (France 2)
Andilly-les-Marais, in Charente-Maritime, will soon host the three tallest wind turbines in France. An installation made at the initiative of residents who are, for some, shareholders of the company responsible for the project.
The installation of wind turbines often provokes heated debates, wherever they are installed. Everywhere except in Andilly-les-Marais, in Charente-Maritime, where the three tallest wind turbines in France will be built, at the initiative of the residents. The mayor of the town, Sylvain Fagot (SE), is at the origin of the citizen project: “We preferred to keep control of this project rather than have it imposed on us.” The mayor defines this decision as “a form of citizen and territorial reappropriation of renewable energies”.
More than 300 participants
More than 300 people are participating in financing the wind turbine construction site, via a cooperative, to the tune of 1.2 million euros out of 34 in total. A resident took shares for her granddaughter, who celebrated her first year: “When she comes of age, she will get back the amount we paid for her.” The shareholder recognizes that future generations will have to manage many energy-related concerns, “so it’s more of a symbol”.
