Charities to benefit from windfarm in eastern France

Money raised from the six-mast project will help fund a hostel for parents of children with cancer, cystic fibrosis research, and renovation of a cancer clinic.

The Marne site is due to open next year and will be an extension of an existing 13-turbine site at Songy, Champagne.

With 25.2mW maximum cap­acity, the masts could supply energy for up to 28,000 homes.

Three health groups are sponsoring the project. Volunteer groups are carrying out the planning, with funds raised through Enerfip crowdfunding site.

France has 8,000 wind turbines and Storm Ciara almost broke the wind energy supply record on February 9 with nearly a quarter of electricity needs met – 13GW of power.

Songy windfarm is in the Grand Est and the region and nearby Hauts-de-France made up 7GW of Ciara’s total.

Last September, 21% of total energy needs in France were supplied by renewable energy, with windfarms giving 15.9GW, 9.2GW from solar, and 25.6GW from hydroelectric.