Renault has just announced three partnerships to decarbonize its French production. In particular, there is the signing of a large solar electricity contract.
Renault wants to achieve carbon neutrality in its factories in Europe by 2030, and even as early as 2025 for its ElectriCity center in northern France. To achieve this, the brand has just announced an acceleration of industrial decarbonization thanks to the signing of three new partnerships, which will concern photovoltaics, geothermal energy and biomass.
Le Losange has notably signed with Voltalia what is presented as the largest green electricity supply contract in France. The long-term agreement (15 years) should allow Renault to cover up to 50% of the electricity consumption of its production activities in France in 2027.
Voltalia will install photovoltaic panels on French territory for a power of 100 megawatts from 2025. The capacity made available to the automotive group by Voltalia will increase steadily over the following years, to reach 350 megawatts in total in 2027. This sustainable electricity will thus cover all the needs of Electricity (whose ambition is to produce 500,000 vehicles per year by 2025) and Cléon’s electrical activities (where motors are assembled).
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That’s not all for ElectriCity. In Douai, where the electric Mégane comes to life, Renault has joined forces with Engie for “an unprecedented project in Europe” of deep geothermal energy which would replace 70% of the gas needs of the Douai plant by 2025.
At the end of 2023, Engie will begin drilling work to draw hot water (130-140°C) from a depth of 4,000 meters to capture the calories necessary for the needs of the industrial process and heating of the plant from 2025. Once launched, this technology would provide nearly 40 MW of continuous power. In summer, when there is less need for heating, geothermal energy could be used to produce carbon-free electricity.
Finally, near Maubeuge, Renault wants with Dalkia, a subsidiary of EDF, to install a biomass boiler with a power of 15 MW in order to replace 65% of gas consumption.
