Europe’s Largest Floating Solar Power Plant Inaugurated in France by Q ENERGY and Velto Renewables
20 June 2025
Europe’s largest floating solar power facility, Les Îlots Blandin, was officially inaugurated on Friday June 20th in the commune of Perthes, Haute-Marne, marking a major milestone in France’s clean energy transition. The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Marie-Claude Saget-Thyes, Mayor of Perthes; Charles de Courson, Member of Parliament for Marne; and Anne-Catherine De Tourtier, President of the France Renouvelables trade association. Representatives from project partners Solutions30, Ciel & Terre, Perpetum, and Velto Renewables were also present.
Built on 127 hectares of former gravel pits once operated by Etablissements Blandin, the solar farm features more than 135,000 photovoltaic panels installed on state-of-the-art floating platforms developed in France. With a total capacity of 74.3 MWp, the plant will generate enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of 37,000 people annually, roughly 65% of the population in the Saint-Dizier, Der et Blaise conurbation. The installation is expected to prevent the emission of 18,000 tons of CO₂ each year.
Turning Artificial Land into Renewable Potential
The project was launched in 2019 by Q ENERGY, a pioneer in renewable energy in Haute-Marne, with a vision to repurpose unused industrial basins for environmental and economic benefit. The gravel pits, formed by quarry operations scheduled to cease in 2020, were identified as ideal sites for floating solar technology — areas with minimal land-use conflict and strong solar potential.
Construction began in September 2023 after over five years of planning, with the plant reaching full commissioning in June 2025. The initiative builds on Q ENERGY’s longstanding presence in the region, dating back to 2010 with the opening of Haute-Marne’s first wind farms. Since then, the company has developed 274 MW of renewable capacity across the département, serving over 257,000 people.
“Our long-standing relationships with local officials, government agencies, and economic stakeholders have been key to the success of this project,” said Corentin SIVY, Head of Development and Deputy Managing Director of Q ENERGY France. “Understanding the local dynamics allowed us to design a project that is both technically sound and regionally integrated.”
Floating solar remains an emerging technology in France, particularly in the northern regions, where it holds significant untapped potential. Yet despite its advantages, such projects face economic challenges. Floating installations have higher construction and maintenance costs compared to their ground-mounted counterparts, but both must compete in the same public tender process managed by France’s Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie (CRE).
To ensure financial viability, multiple designs were considered before the current version was finalized. The final configuration includes a 2 MW ground-mounted system, strategically integrated to optimize the site’s overall energy output and economic performance.
Successful collaboration between private-sector players committed to the energy transition
The project is the result of a robust private-sector collaboration orchestrated by Q ENERGY. Engineering firm Ciel & Terre supplied and installed the floating structures, modules, and inverters. Perpetum oversaw the procurement of electrical infrastructure and the construction of the ground-mounted array. Solutions30, the lead representative of the consortium, was responsible for cabling, grid connection, and overall commissioning.
Funding for the plant was secured in September 2024, with over €50 million raised through Crédit Agricole Transitions & Energies and Bpifrance. In early 2025, Spanish renewable energy player Velto Renewables — backed by Canadian institutional investor La Caisse — acquired a 50% stake in the project and will be the long-term owner of the asset.
“Velto is accelerating its development in France with a clear objective: to establish a long-term presence in France for several decades. We are here to stay. Our mission is to develop, operate and support projects over the long term, in harmony with local specificities; this is one of the reasons we are proud of our partnership with QENERGY in France,” said Lucas de Haro, CEO of Velto Renewables, at the inauguration.
About Q ENERGY France:
Q ENERGY is a major player in the French renewable energy market. For over 25 years, the company has been involved in the development, construction and operation of wind and photovoltaic projects. Now also positioned in the energy storage market, Q ENERGY is pursuing its expansion into new fields such as green hydrogen, to offer intelligent, comprehensive solutions for the production and supply of sustainable energy in France. The company has almost 300 employees and 7 branches throughout France, including its head office in Avignon. Q ENERGY France is a company of the European holding Q ENERGY Solutions, based in Berlin and created in 2021 by Hanwha Solutions with the aim of driving the next generation of green and flexible energy production in Europe. www.qenergy.eu
Press contacts
Carmen LEPADATU
Team Lead Communication Q ENERGY France
+33 7 72 24 97 59
About Velto Renewables
Velto Renewables is a renewable energy independent power producer with a long-term asset ownership strategy. Established in 2020 and backed by the global investment group La Caisse, Velto Renewables is committed to contributing to the decarbonization of the global economy and the European energy transition by investing in and developing an international and multi-technology portfolio of renewable energy projects. Velto currently owns more than 280 MW of operating and under construction solar PV and wind projects in Spain and France, manages a 25%
investment in a 630 MW offshore wind farm in the United Kingdom, develops 1+GW of greenfield projects in Iberia, and is seeking to grow its portfolio by becoming a local player in the countries and regions where it invests.
For more information, visit veltorenewables.com.
Press contacts
Velto Renewables