Cirey-sur-Vezouze solar power plant – France (Grand Est Region)
A territory-rooted energy transition project
The Cirey-sur-Vezouze photovoltaic power plant, located in Meurthe-et-Moselle on a former industrial brownfield site that once housed an 18th-century glassworks, symbolises the transformation of an industrial site into a space dedicated to renewable energy production.
With an installed capacity of 5.4 MWp, the plant covers 4.2 hectares and comprises 8,700 solar panels.
Each year, it generates 6.1 GWh of electricity, equivalent to the annual consumption of 3,466 people, heating included.
This production will avoid the emission of nearly 1,891 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
The project, developed in partnership with Sireos, a French company specialising in the construction of photovoltaic power plants, is based on national expertise that guarantees a reliable and long-lasting installation.
A commitment to the environment and the local territory
Beyond green energy production, the Cirey-sur-Vezouze power plant delivers multiple benefits for the local area. It has enabled the redevelopment of land previously used for wood storage and littered with waste. The site has been fully cleaned and restored.
As part of the “Grand Est Green Region” programme, which aims to achieve a 77% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the project contributes to local dynamism while aligning with an ambitious ecological transition pathway.
The project also includes concrete environmental actions, such as:
– the rehabilitation of ruins likely to provide shelter for bats,
– the safe demolition of a water tower at risk of collapse.
Led by the municipality of Cirey-sur-Vezouze in partnership with Corsica Sole, the initiative contributes to biodiversity preservation. In-depth ecological studies enabled the implementation of targeted measures to turn the site into a refuge for local fauna and flora, particularly bats, through the creation and maintenance of suitable habitats.
Thanks to participatory financing, local residents were also able to invest directly in the project, strengthening the link between citizens and the energy transition while benefiting from a responsible investment opportunity.
To find out more about crowdfunding for the Cirey-sur-Vezouze solar power plant, read the article below.
Structured financing for the energy transition
The Cirey-sur-Vezouze solar power plant benefits from structured financing arranged by SG, as part of a transaction carried out jointly with the Pithiviers solar power plant.
This financial structure, supported by the expertise of Monte Cristo Advisory and Greensolver, reflects partners’ confidence in Corsica Sole’s vision: transforming former industrial brownfields into low-carbon energy production sites.
Thanks to this ambitious project, we are proud to contribute to the energy development of Cirey-sur-Vezouze. With the support of public authorities, the Mayor and the President of the Vezouze-en-Piémont Community of Municipalities, we obtained a building permit in 2023, enabling the rapid delivery of a project that benefits local residents by redeveloping an industrial brownfield site.
The solar power plant was also designed with a strong environmental focus, contributing to the preservation of fauna and flora in a calm setting adapted to the site’s specific characteristics. Its layout carefully preserved the ecological exclusion zones identified during the environmental impact assessment carried out upstream.
This project reflects our conviction that it is possible to combine the energy transition with respect for ecosystems
When the sun inspires art
The Cirey-sur-Vezouze solar power plant also incorporates an artistic dimension, thanks to a mural created by artist OJAN (Joan Tarragon). Inspired by the sun and the energy it produces, the artwork invites viewers to take a fresh look at the plant’s landscape and at renewable energies.
Through his fine and poetic drawings, OJAN transforms this technical structure into a genuine space for artistic expression.
Joan Tarragon, known as OJAN, is recognised for illustrations rich in meaning and colour.
Did you know?
The site’s history dates back to 1760, with the creation of a glassworks specialising in mirror glass production. Successively integrated into the Compagnie de Saint-Quirin and later Saint-Gobain, it contributed to the region’s industrial vitality until its closure in 1939.
After several decades of abandonment, followed by occasional artisanal activities, a complete rehabilitation was undertaken: demolition, asbestos removal and on-site reuse of rubble in line with circular economy principles.
The transformation of the site into a solar power plant thus illustrates the territory’s ability to enhance its heritage while looking towards the future.
To find out more, the Enerzine article tells the story of the former glassworks in Cirey-sur-Vezouze.
They’re talking about it!
Find out what the press is saying about the project:
France 3 Grand Est : This new photovoltaic power plant will supply 11,000 households with solar energy, a boon for this deindustrialised region.
La Gazette : Corsica Sole is installing a solar power plant in Cirey-sur-Vezouze on a former brownfield site.
Est Républicain : Saint-Gobain industrial brownfield site has begun its transformation into a solar power plant: 800 households in the municipality will be connected.
Est Républicain : The Cirey-sur-Vezouze solar power plant will meet the needs of 3,500 inhabitants.
Grand Est (54)
