Groupe ADP has inaugurated the latest solar power plant under the agreement signed with Urbasolar and GazelEnergie to meet the energy needs of Parisian airports.
As part of its energy decarbonization strategy, Groupe ADP signed a long-term corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) for renewable electricity with French developer and producer Urbasolar and electricity supplier GazelEnergie.
This partnership, signed in 2020, called for the creation of three new solar photovoltaic farms in France, located in the Gard, Var, and Charente departments, to meet Groupe ADP’s energy needs. With an expected annual production of 47 GWh of green energy over a 21-year period, these three contracts account for 10% of the annual electricity needs of the three Paris airports, or nearly 75% of their lighting needs.
The Villognon solar power plant in Charente, inaugurated on March 20, 2025, is the third and final facility under this contract.
Groupe ADP is now one of France’s leading players in terms of electricity procurement from solar farms built in France specifically to meet its needs.
Villognon: A Key Milestone in the CPPA
The inauguration of the solar power plant located in the town of Villognon, attended by Justine Coutard, Deputy CEO of Groupe ADP, Philippe Goyaud, mayor of the town, and Adrian Meier, Chief Operating Officer of Urbasolar, marks the conclusion of the partnership established under the CPPA between Groupe ADP, Urbasolar, and GazelEnergie.
By transforming the 23 hectares of embankment created during the construction of the Bordeaux-Tours high-speed rail line into a 23 MWp solar park, the project’s stakeholders have demonstrated their commitment to renewable energy across the region.
The Villognon solar power plant will generate 30,000 MWh of carbon-free electricity annually, all of which will be sold to Groupe ADP.
Measures to Support Biodiversity
Beyond producing carbon-free electricity for Groupe ADP’s needs, the Villognon solar power plant stands out for its exemplary commitment to preserving the surrounding natural environments, ensuring no impact on local flora and fauna.
To maintain and promote biodiversity on the site, Urbasolar—the company in charge of construction—has implemented several measures, both during the construction phase and throughout the plant’s operation. The construction schedule was adjusted to minimize disruption to the species identified during ecological surveys, and specific areas were bypassed to protect flora and fauna. Additionally, a hedge of native plant species was planted around the plant to help it blend into the landscape and serve as a refuge for wildlife.
Justine Coutard, Deputy CEO of Groupe ADP: “The partnership between Urbasolar and Groupe ADP has been a success since 2020. This third solar power plant, in Villognon, will meet our electricity needs for 21 years. Photovoltaic solar energy, developed both at airports and elsewhere, in Paris and around the world, is central to securing our low-carbon energy supply.”
Antoine Millioud, President of Urbasolar: “It is a real success for our group to commission the latest solar power plant under this partnership! We have built a relationship of trust with Groupe ADP that allows us to work together toward the energy transition and the decarbonization of transportation infrastructure. It is also compelling proof of our group’s expertise in PPA projects.”
Frédéric Faroche, President of GazelEnergie: “We are proud to have contributed for over five years to the implementation of this new PPA, which complements the two other solar farms commissioned by Urbasolar for Groupe ADP and aggregated by GazelEnergie since 2022. Our dual expertise as both a supplier and aggregator of renewable energy has enabled us to offer an innovative, integrated, and tailor-made solution that addresses the energy transition challenges facing Groupe ADP.”