Total has been selected by the French Ministry of Industry to build a wind farm in France, following a tender issued in April 2004. The project will be developed by Eoliennes de Mounès, a 50/50 joint venture between Total and partner Harpen, a subsidiary of Germany’s RWE.

Located in the Aveyron region, the 90 MW Belmontais project will comprise 30 latest-generation wind turbines. It will make a significant contribution to the development of wind power in France, supplying the electricity equivalent of the average consumption (except heating) of nearly 140,000 people. In addition, some 100,000 metric tons a year of CO2 will not be discharged into the atmosphere. This investment of around €100 million is expected to generate nearly 160 jobs (60 direct) during the construction period and around 20 when the project comes into operation.

Under the terms and conditions of the tender, project implementation is subject to the granting of a building permit. A series of information meetings and stakeholder dialogues will take place during this process and the project will be submitted to a public inquiry. The wind farm could be on stream in 2008.

This innovative project, which will use cutting-edge technology, enjoys the support of local authorities and further demonstrates Total’s commitment to developing renewable energies.

In 2003, Total developed a 12MW pilot project in wind energy at Dunkirk. It is also a major player in solar photovoltaic energy, working through two companies, Photovoltech and Tenesol.