Communities
Boralex has been facilitating the energy transition of communities for over 30 years by offering them the possibility of hosting a local green power production facility.
Its principled, long-term approach allows rural communities to enjoy economic benefits and offer their local residents and constituents the opportunity to participate in co-creation projects through such elements as crowd investing and local green electricity supply.
Whether you are seeking to enhance communal spaces by reclaiming a brownfield site or optimizing agricultural land to create a renewable energy project that blends seamlessly into the surroundings, go beyond renewable energy by choosing a partner who is committed to communities and biodiversity.
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Choose Boralex
When you choose to partner with Boralex, you are choosing an energy transition that will work for your locality. Our 30 years of experience working with communities and local residents have enabled us to build a relationship of trust, day after day, with the localities where we operate.
Landscape integration, biodiversity protection and local consultation are at the heart of each and every one of our wind, solar and battery projects.
Boralex can help you to unite local stakeholders around a common project through elements such as crowd-investing or the creation of a green electricity supply for local residents that promotes a short supply chain.
With our maintenance sites less that two hours from our wind farms, our geographical proximity allows us to shape a partnership approach based on your local requirements right from the development phase. In the operating phase, our proximity translates into a quick response time. Let’s work together to make the energy transition in your community.
They chose Boralex
Mairie de
Quinssaines
Mairie
d’Ally Mercoeur
Mairie de
Quinssaines
WHAT DO LOCAL RESIDENTS THINK OF THE WIND FARM?
“Currently, and ever since the wind farm was completed in March 2016, the nearest residents, in a housing estate just over 500 m away, as well as I myself, a few hundred metres farther along, do indeed hear a slight whooshing sound when there is a strong, steady wind.
We hear the wind farm when there is a strong west wind and we are alone in the garden, with no radio on or conversation going. But we have not been more disturbed by noise pollution, particularly given that the turbines stop and people stay indoors when the wind is too strong. We discussed the visual impact at the outset of the project, but the people who complained about it have since admitted to me in private that it’s not that bad after all – there is a certain elegance to it. So, to answer your question, no complaints so far.”
WERE YOU ALREADY SOLD ON WIND ENERGY WHEN THE PROJECT BEGAN?
“The development phase took forever – my predecessor had to be very tenacious to see it through (administrative procedures, court, appeals…), because some people would have given up. Especially since he didn’t talk about the financial aspect at all – he was a real crusader, a champion of renewable energies. We had public meetings, information meetings with outcry about noise pollution, soundwaves, the visual impact, birds and bats. As with anything new and unfamiliar, people required a lot of education and support! Some of them were acting in bad faith but some were good people, too. I know some people who were fiercely opposed to the project because of “property devaluation” – today, those same people are fine and go for walks up there. When they have guests or family visiting from far away, they take them up to see the wind farm. That’s why the educational trail Boralex has set up is great. Now we have hikers, residents of Quinssaines, young people, schoolchildren – lots of people visiting during the week and on weekends.”
DID THE WIND FARM FACILITATE ANY OTHER COMMUNAL PROJECTS?
“Following wind farm construction we were able to do work for the stadium and structural work for the roads behind the subdivision. The project also allowed us to participate in stormwater management as an extension of the civil works for the wind farm accesses. Farmers, property owners and operators have benefited from the access road development, fence and tree replacement and such. Overall, there is a higher level of satisfaction among farmers and local residents.”
HOW DO YOU PERCEIVE THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH BORALEX?
“Whenever schools and school groups ask to visit the site, Boralex is very accommodating.
I mentioned the educational trail earlier – Boralex provided the facilities and equipment for the that. Plans are in the works to add a kiosk and benches, tables and information panels. For events organized by our local associations, like a village fair, for instance, we ask Boralex for a banner and support through the sponsorship program. We always get a positive response.
Boralex is one of the partners that come to mind for our municipal promotional flyers and various events. Relations between Boralex and the municipality are very good.”
Mairie
d’Ally Mercoeur
WHAT DO LOCAL RESIDENTS THINK OF THE WIND FARM?
“Most local residents view the wind farm positively. It is now part of the landscape and a visual landmark for residents. The wind turbines are well accepted, and do not represent a source of annoyance for people living on the plateau. Our residents take walks around the wind farm to enjoy the plateau views.”
PLANNING FOR REPOWERING
When the wind farm was built in 2004, Ally-Mercœur was the highest wind farm in France in terms of altitude, as well as being the most powerful. In order to formulate the best possible response to local issues and new regulations, Boralex held consultations with a broad range of stakeholders (local governments, elected officials, landowners, environmental associations, the civil aviation authority, etc.) before even starting the studies.
DID THE WIND FARM FACILITATE ANY OTHER COMMUNAL PROJECTS?
“The wind farm enabled significant maintenance of local roadways. Our associations have also benefited from the sponsorship operations, which have boosted tourism services for the Ally plateau by supporting our Ally 2000 association. Our association offers visitors the opportunity to visit the old mills in Ally and, with the support of the Boralex teams, the turbines at the wind farm. More generally, the creation of the wind farm has had a positive impact on our community facilities, which we have been able to maintain in part thanks to the economic benefits generated by the wind farm. The wind farm was commissioned in 2005, and we are now looking into repowering of the turbines with Boralex.”
HOW DO YOU PERCEIVE THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH BORALEX?
“We have a very good relationship with Boralex. The Boralex teams have become part of the community and understand it well.”