Power for 12,950 people
The dispute is such that opponents have united in the Lot-Célé Environmental Association (AELC), which was created in December 2022 and claims more than 300 members and more than 900 supporters. Opponents interviewed by RFI deplore the “total ecological aberration” of “cutting down trees to produce green energy.” The departmental council, the PNR, its scientific committee and the surrounding municipalities, unlike the former prefect and the municipality of Tour-de-Faure, gave negative opinions, according to them, the maintenance of the project is “a misunderstanding”. The PNR scientific committee highlights the risk of disruption of plant and animal ecosystems and biodiversity, in particular the risk of flooding due to the felling of rainwater-regulating trees.
The plant will have a capacity of 18 MW and should produce “equivalent to the domestic consumption of 12,950 people (excluding heating and domestic hot water)”, Total assures that it will dismantle the panels and restore the site after 30 years of service. The multinational company will also tax the local authorities promises benefits (including 17,000 euros per year for the municipality).