Océalia and TSE have just signed a particularly ambitious partnership, which aims to deploy 500MWc of agrivoltaic solutions on the cooperative's territory within ten years. Ultimately, this capacity will represent the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of nearly 120,000 households, i.e. that of a large French conglomeration, while reconciling agricultural production and energy transition.
This partnership will be led by a dedicated company whose aim will be to develop and operate agrivoltaic installations from TSE. The members of the Cooperative will thus benefit from the economic benefits of the co-development company and the territory, including local authorities, from the contribution of the value of new assets.
For Océalia, this partnership is fully in line with its CAP 2030 strategy, whose primary ambition is to value creation for its members. Enabling farmers to generate additional income through agricultureRenewable energy production, while maintaining the agricultural potential of the land and its nourishing purpose, is a major driver of performance and resilience of farms.
Agrivoltaics is also of decisive interest: income from electricity production is largely uncorrelated. Climatic hazards and fluctuations in agricultural markets, to which farms have traditionally been exposed. This diversification thus contributes to strengthening the economic stability of farms in a context of increasing uncertainty.
This approach is particularly important in intermediate areas where economic flexibility is more limited and where irrigation options are often limited. In these territories, the effects of climate change — water stress, variability in yields, extreme episodes — weigh heavily on the viability of farms. Agrivoltaics is therefore a concrete tool for adaptation and resilience, in the service of sustainability of agricultural systems.
Engaging in this project thus contributes to securing the future of regional agriculture. Engaging with a reliable and leading partner in Western France also makes it possible to consider controlled development throughout its territory, adapted to the diversity of productions, landscapes and local dynamics. Getting involved in a common company, HORME, also testifies to its strong commitment to the success of its members' projects and its desire to control the value chain.
According to Denis Mathé, President of Océalia, “It is with optimism and responsibility that Océalia is committed to this partnership in the service of our territories. With our teams, we will be particularly vigilant in guaranteeing the fair remuneration of Cooperative Associates and in prioritizing the agricultural use of the land.”
A “win-win” partnership
TSE welcomes this “win-win” partnership, which further strengthens its link with the agricultural world and its main players. Winning for the territory by providing value, winning for farmers thanks to additional income and the installation of protection solutions in the face of agroclimatic challenges, finally winning by production of local and carbon-free electricity.
The agrivoltaics promoted and developed by TSE fits perfectly into the framework of the APER Law and its implementing decrees. It allows the coactivity of the production of a green, decarbonized, sovereign, inexpensive electricity And the sustainable agricultural production by supporting and maintaining the nourishing vocation of agricultural plots thanks to its innovative solutions.
According to Bertrand Drouot L'Hermine, Deputy CEO of TSE,“This partnership with a key player in western France will allow TSE to offer its proven agrivoltaic solutions whose dual purpose is to support the agricultural world and to produce competitive French electricity. The contribution of value to the territory, the additional income and the agrivoltaic services provided to farmers are the strong point of this cooperation."
Océalia and TSE will work together on all stages of the projects.
