The Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA) administrative region is pioneering the development of new energy sources and management with 70 million euros invested over 4 years. Today only 10% of the energy consumed by the region is produced on its territory. With its outstanding natural assets, its solid economy and the unique opportunities offered by the ITER and Georges Besse II (GB2) projects, the region aims to become a global leader in new energy technologies.

ITER and GB2

·         A massive international research project, ITER represents a total investment of €10 billion. Its mission is to develop the energy of tomorrow.

·         Georges Besse 2, located in the town of Bollène, involves a new process of uranium enrichment which consumes 10 to 40 times less electricity than the process used today.

Photovoltaic and Solar Energy

·         2,500 hours of sunshine per year (300 days), 1st region in France for annual sunshine

·         High potential: In 2007, 28% of PACA’s projects in photovoltaics were implemented in the Vaucluse

·         With the "Chèque Energies Renouvelables" investment incentive, the PACA region pays up to  €700 and the Vaucluse contributes €350 for solar energy installations

·         Regional photovoltaic investment incentive: € 0.5 to € 3 per Watt peak

·         The region is giving top priority to the creation of a strong photovoltaic industry

Wind Energy

·         3rd region in France for wind energy potential – 120 days of wind per year (or, 1 every 3 days)

·         With the Mistral wind, the wind energy potential in Provence is approximately 500 MW annually. Today, only 51 MW are already installed and 32 MW are in the works.

Wood energy

·         3rd most densely forested region in France

·         1st French region for the production of light wood packaging

·         700,000 tons of waste from wood industries provide 20,000 toe per year

·         In 2007, launch of the “Chèque Energies Renouvelables” incentive for wood energy installations


Biomass - Biogas - Hydraulics

·         The farm and food industry supply abundant fuel to Biomass power plants

·         The presence of the Rhône and the Durance Rivers is an incentive for major market leaders to develop their business in the Vaucluse. Ex: EDF, CNR (Compagnie Nationale du Rhone).


Market players

·         Organizations: Ademe PACA, Enerplan, CAPENERGIES competitive cluster, AERE, Lubéron National Park, UDVN 84, Probois Ventoux, ...

·         Companies: EOLE-RES, Ecostream, Fondasolutions (Schmees Bau GmbH), Tecsol technique solaire, SolEnergie, Kaora, Mondragon Assembly, Siliken, MégaSun, Heliowatt/Aerowatt, Tasol, Valfibois, Alternat'Style,Thermovolt, Lizard Energy, Ciel et Terre ...


A growing number of industry and public events

·         NaturAvignon:  Eco-festival dedicated to the environment

·        "  ECO-ENERGIES " in Mérindol: international fair and conference on the topic of renewable energy and eco-construction


Easy access: Never far from it all. Choose the Vaucluse.

For more information, please download the brochures: renewable energies and biomass