Posted
Article written by
Antoine and his father Serge are building a hydroelectric power station in Normandy. Eventually, it should be able to supply 500 homes. Brut went to meet them.
“Hi, I’m Serge. With Antoine, we have this slightly crazy project: the construction of a micro-hydroelectric power station.” Since 2019, father and son have aimed to raise this building from the ground to supply, on average, 500 homes with electricity. A module which is not negligible for the inhabitants of Vire, the Norman city which will benefit from it. “The principle is to divert part of the water from the river. 90% of the water from the river is diverted to the plant”explains Serge, the father.
But it was not a foregone conclusion. “Unfortunately, it took a dozen years to finally be able to both acquire the site and above all obtain the rights to make it a micro-power plant.“, specifies Antoine. A project they want to carry out for the environment, but also out of desire. “It’s a real childhood dream that is linked to the fact that dad was an electrician.”
The plant is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2023.”We invested 500,000 euros in this project. We should have a return on investment of 6 or 7 years. We have a purchase contract with EDF, a 20-year purchase contract”, lists Serge. But the duo does not intend to stop there. Serge has already rehabilitated a plant supplying 200 households in Vire. “On the territory, there remain at least 40,000 mills which would be viable”, explains Antoine. “JI might be there to lend a hand, but I think I’ll rest a little bit now, anyway.”, replies his father.