A major milestone in clean energy has just been reached in France, with the launch of Europe’s largest floating solar power facility. Developed by Q ENERGY in collaboration with Velto Renewables, the Les Ilots Blandin solar park is now officially online, delivering sustainable power to tens of thousands of people.
Situated in the Haute-Marne region, the 74.3 MWp installation spans 127 hectares of water-filled former gravel pits, transforming once-disused industrial land into a hub of green electricity. The plant features over 135,000 solar panels mounted on cutting-edge floating platforms, all designed and built in France.
This ambitious project will generate enough electricity to meet the annual needs of approximately 37,000 people while preventing the release of 18,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
The initiative was conceived back in 2019, when Q ENERGY identified the exhausted quarry sites as prime candidates for floating solar. With limited land-use conflicts and strong sunlight exposure, these bodies of water offered an ideal solution for renewable expansion without encroaching on valuable land.
Construction kicked off in late 2023 after years of permitting, design, and environmental assessment. By June 2025, the plant was fully operational.
“This project reflects more than five years of hard work and deep cooperation with local partners,” said Corentin Sivy, Deputy Managing Director of Q ENERGY France. “By aligning our design with the region’s characteristics and involving local authorities from the start, we ensured the project’s success.”
Floating solar technology is still gaining traction in France, especially in northern regions. Despite its potential, it remains more costly to build and maintain than land-based alternatives, yet both must compete for the same government tenders.
To overcome financial and technical hurdles, Q ENERGY integrated a 2 MW ground-mounted solar system into the site’s layout to boost performance and returns. Several design options were explored before locking in the final plan.
The development was a collaborative effort: French engineering firm Ciel & Terre handled the floating structures, while Perpetum managed electrical systems and ground array construction. Solutions30 led the consortium in charge of cabling, grid integration, and plant commissioning.
The project secured more than €50 million in funding in 2024 through Crédit Agricole Transitions & Energies and Bpifrance. In early 2025, Velto Renewables owned by Canadian investor La Caisse, acquired a 50% share in the facility, taking on long-term ownership.
“We’re committed to a long-term presence in France,” said Velto CEO Lucas de Haro. “This project is a great example of how we aim to grow sustainably and in close alignment with regional priorities.”
The successful launch of Les Ilots Blandin is a significant step in France’s renewable energy journey and a promising indicator of what floating solar can achieve in Europe and beyond.
