We’re in the final stages of delivering the 28MW Chaintrix-Bierges and Vélye Wind Farm in France’s Grand-Est region (Marne).
The project entered construction in September 2023, becoming the first of SSE’s onshore wind farm projects from its Southern European portfolio to do so.
With all turbines now installed and first power achieved, turbine commissioning and testing is continuing ahead of commercial operations at the site, expected in early 2025.
The project has been in development for around eight years, ahead of SSE Renewables green-lighting construction in 2023.
Chaintrix-Bierges and Vélye comprises eight Siemens Gamesa SG 3.4-132 turbines, each capable of producing 3.4MW of renewable energy output.
In November 2024, SSE Renewables announced that leading European asset management company, Greensolver, will provide day-to-day operation and maintenance services for the wind farm when it enters commercial operation.
Greensolver is an experienced provider of asset management services and technical expertise, dedicated to Wind, Solar, and Battery Energy System Storage (BESS) assets. The company already provides Asset Management services to over 5GW of renewable energy sites across Europe.
Turbines installed: Siemens Gamesa 3.4-132
Chaintrix-Bierges and Vélye Wind Farm comprises eight turbines with a maximum installed capacity of up to 28MW. The wind farm site is south-west of Chaintrix and the closest turbine is 1,100 meters from the nearest home. The wind farm is expected to enter commercial operations in early 2025.
When complete, the wind farm will be capable of generating enough green energy to power 14,000 homes annually, as well as offset 27,000 metric tonnes of harmful CO2 emissions**.
Delivery of the wind farm is making a small but important contribution to our goal of increasing our operational renewable capacity to up to 9GW by 2027 as part of SSE's five-year, fully funded clean energy plan, the Net Zero Accelleration Programme (NZAP) Plus.
Start of construction with the installation of the base camp
Delphine Henri - Head of Country, France
"From the earliest stages of thinking about this project, every step has been guided by a deep commitment to involving and informing the community, with a sincere desire for transparency and close collaboration with local residents and stakeholders. As a result, this project embodies a passionate response to environmental challenges while honouring the aspirations of stakeholders to the fullest."
€30+m capex investment will locally support 80 construction jobs at peak
Delivery of the Chaintrix-Bierges and Vélye project represents a total capital investment in excess of €30 million by SSE Renewables. This investment is helping support the local economy in the Grand-Est region, with around 80 construction roles supported at peak delivery.
Balance of Plant works are being delivered by lead Contractor Omexom in partnership with Civils contractor Pothelet. Other suppliers including Vodafone, Dekra, Elys, Groupe Geotec, Quiron and Auddicé. Siemens Gamesa is wind turbine supplier.
In November 2023, SSE Renewables marked breaking ground on the Chaintrix-Bierges and Vélye Wind Farm with a ceremony attended by local elected representatives, stakeholders and supply chain partners.
** Over 14,000 homes powered claim based on projected installed capacity, typical projected wind load factor of 25.7%, and typical annual household consumption of 4,334kWh (source: Panel Usages Electrodomestiques – November 2022 de l’Ademe (Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maitrise de l’Energie) et RTE).
** 27,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emission offset based on expected typical output of 62,407MWh per annum calculated against a 430g offset of CO2 emissions in France for each kWh of wind power generated (Source: French Ministry for Ecological Transition, May 2021)