France's largest floating solar plant powers up

France's first large-scale floating solar power plant, which can supply enough green energy for 4,733 households began operating last week.

The O'Mega1 plant, which covers 17 of the 50 hectares of an artificial lake in a former quarry near Piolenc, Vaucluse, can produce up to 17 megawatts.

As well as being, by far, the largest solar park in France, it is the largest in Europe - but still lags far behind the 86 hectare-size (the size of 120 football pitches) of the world's largest floating solar plant, in China.

The company behind the plant, Akuo, is also pioneering another French first - it has teamed-up with six independent renewable energy producers - Boralex, Nass & Wind, Reden Solar, Tenergie, Valorem and VSB new energies - to be able to pledge to its customers that it will only invest in renewable energy produced in France.

Other suppliers offer green energy deals, but none can promise that their energy is also 100% Made in France.