#France #Lyon #Solar Park #Innergex #Grenier des Essences

Innergex Launches Crowdfunding for Solar Project in France

Engaging Local Residents in Renewable Energy

On October 8, 2026, Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. announced the opening of a crowdfunding campaign aimed at supporting the final construction and commissioning phases of the Grenier des Essences solar park, located in Joux-la-Ville, Yonne. This citizen fundraising initiative seeks to raise 5 million euros from local residents, including those with a primary or secondary residence in Yonne as well as neighboring departments such as Aube, Côte-d'Or, Loiret, Nièvre, and Seine-et-Marne.

Accessible through the Enerfip platform, participation starts at just 10 euros. This crowdfunding effort allows residents to play a direct role in financing a significant solar project, which is set to be operational by autumn 2027.

Guillaume Jumel, Vice President and General Manager of Innergex France, expressed dedication to fostering local involvement in energy transition. He stated, "This crowdfunding campaign is designed to empower residents to take part in the energy transition of their community. The Grenier des Essences project was developed in close collaboration with local farmers and officials, blending renewable energy generation with ongoing agricultural activity and new crop development. It exemplifies our commitment to advancing territorial collective projects that address climate, energy, and agricultural challenges."

Project Specifications

The Grenier des Essences solar park will boast a capacity of 93 MW, distributed over nine zones across nearly 100 hectares. Thanks to optimized design during the development phase, the capacity was increased from 85 to 93 MW. The park is expected to produce 106,500 MWh of renewable electricity annually, equivalent to the yearly consumption of approximately 47,700 residents while preventing the emission of 25,300 tons of CO₂ each year.*

An Attractive Local Investment Opportunity

To effectively involve locals in the project, a collective financing mechanism has been established in partnership with Enerfip. This mechanism includes a citizen funding initiative amounting to 5 million euros, organized in six successive tranches. This approach meets local participation requirements dictated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE).

Investors will purchase simple bonds with a four-year duration, yielding an annual gross return of 6.5%. Additionally, the project has secured long-term, stable financing through Bpifrance.

Bridging Energy Production and Agriculture

Initiated in 2020 by farmers in Joux-la-Ville facing declining profitability in certain plots, the Grenier des Essences project is geared towards making solar energy a resilience tool for local farms amidst climate change challenges. Developed on plots with low agronomic potential, characterized by stony soil and vulnerable to drought, the project is designed to complement agricultural activity, not replace it. Farmland equipped with photovoltaic panels will still host agricultural activities, such as sheep grazing beneath the solar installations.

Innovative Agricultural Transition Fund

Beyond generating renewable electricity, the Grenier des Essences project includes a pioneering agricultural transition fund. Instead of merely providing rental payments, this fund—co-managed by Innergex and the agricultural collective—supports diversification into climate-adapted crops, particularly aromatic and medicinal plants (PPAM). Following the principle of one hectare of new crops for every hectare developed into photovoltaic solar park, this initiative aims to cultivate new agricultural sectors that adapt to evolving climate patterns, bolster farm resilience, and create lasting value in the region.

About Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.

For over 35 years, Innergex has believed in a future where abundant renewable energy fosters healthier communities and promotes shared prosperity. As an independent renewable energy producer, Innergex develops, acquires, owns, and operates hydroelectric facilities, wind farms, solar parks, and energy storage systems. The company is convinced that generating energy from renewable sources will pave the way for a better world. Active in Canada, the United States, France, and Chile, Innergex manages a substantial portfolio comprising 92 high-quality operating assets with a net installed capacity of 3,654 MW (gross installed capacity of 4,486 MW), including 42 hydroelectric stations, 37 wind farms, 8 solar parks, and 5 battery energy storage systems. They also hold interests in 16 developing projects, totaling a gross installed capacity of 2,138 MW, four of which are currently under construction, along with several potential projects at various development stages amounting to a gross installed capacity of 13,182 MW. In France, Innergex operates 17 wind farms with a total capacity of 337 MW. Since 2023, Innergex France has partnered with the Crédit Agricole.

For more information, visit innergex.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.