PNE France | Wind

PNE France has been planning, developing, financing, building and operating high-calibre wind energy projects since 2003. Our services include site evaluation, development, financing, turnkey construction, operation, and commercial and technical management of wind farms.

Site evaluation

One of the most decisive factors of success for a wind farm is the selection of its location. The identification of a suitable area for a wind farm comes after the analysis of numerous cartographic data, such as the distance to residential areas, earth and airspace servitudes, heritage and environmental stakes, the possibility of connection to the electricity grid, and of course the wind potential, without which a wind farm project makes no sense.

Once the technical assessment of the site has confirmed the feasibility of a project, the local community has given its approval, and the landowners and farmers of the area have agreed to participate in the project, we launch the studies required to design a project that fits its environment.

Land stakeholders, residents and local authorities may have different interests. We work with all parties involved to find the optimal solution.

Studies and project planning

More than a year is required to finely characterize the environmental context of the windfarm project. To determine the settings of a wind farm (number, location and type of wind turbines) and draw up the environmental impact study, PNE France calls on independent experts (naturalists, landscape architects, acousticians) and experts specialized in wind and site evaluation (including our sister company Pavana).

Obtaining permits

Once the studies have been carried out and the project has been defined, an application for environmental authorization is submitted to the State. The application is examined by more than 25 State departments, which provide opinions.

Once the compliance of the project is established, a public enquiry is organized for the inhabitants and the communes located within a radius of 6 km around the wind farm, who can address observations about the project to an investigating inspector.

Once all the opinions have been received, the Prefect decides whether or not to deliver the authorization to build and operate the wind farm.

The prerequisite for the implementation of a project is first to secure financing. This includes a thorough analysis and the optimization of the construction and operating costs. Solid and competitive financing concepts are the pillars of the success of a project. Integrity and reliability are decisive factors in the finance business.

Here, our projects benefit from our long-standing cooperation with credit institutions operating worldwide. During the entire project phase, we are responsible for the collaboration with banks and insurance companies and ensure optimum project financing. Our experts ensure profitability calculations and cash flow planning throughout each project.

During the construction phase, we ensure that all the necessary conditions are met for the on-time delivery, assembly and commissioning of the wind turbines.

Thanks to years of experience in the construction of wind farms, we can optimally organise our construction work, from the preparation of the access roads to the site restoration as well as the creation of the foundations, the transportation of components, the assembly of the turbines and the connection of the wind farm to the grid.

We coordinate cooperation with grid operators, experts, service providers and state departments. We keep the local authorities, landowners and local residents informed so that everything runs smoothly during the construction work.

Dismantling, new construction or continued operation? Many operators will have to ask themselves these questions over the next few years.

One possibility is repowering, where original turbines are replaced by new, more powerful wind turbines. Due to the advanced technologies, modern wind turbines can generate significantly more electricity, so that a smaller number of turbines is required and the volume of power generated can still be multiplied.

In the course of repowering, a completely new project is being planned and the approval procedure is being re-initiated. Questions of planning law or social interests, the dismantling of old wind turbines as well as various economic aspects make repowering a very complex task and require a high degree of experience in the project planning of wind farms.

Deciding on the future direction of your wind farm often raises many questions:

When is the best time to engage in repowering? Is dismantling, continued operation or repowering more sensible? What happens to the old wind turbines? What are the advantages for residents, operators and municipalities?

The PNE team has over 30 years of experience in the project planning of wind farms and employees with extensive know-how. We would be glad to support you in all questions regarding repowering.

Even after the realisation of the wind project, the PNE Group’s subsidiaries take over the technical and commercial management and ensure the successful operation of the wind farm.

As an interface between all parties involved in the wind farm, we take care of day-to-day business. We guarantee the constant supervision and optimization of business operations and ensure the preservation of the considerable material assets of the wind farm.

We can also provide these services to wind farm owners looking for an operational manager. We look after the assets entrusted to us with the utmost professionalism and support you in getting the most out of your wind farm. This also includes the support of the shareholders, regular reporting to providers of equity and debt capital and timely compliance with requirements and deadlines.

Do you own land? We can check out the options available to you.

Our top priority in all our renewable energy projects is cooperation based on trust. Find out more about the benefits of a partnership with PNE, a potential project process and further information about a cooperation.

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