en.Wedoany.com Reported - BayWa r.e. has transferred the development rights for its "Castets" solar project in France to local energy companies Avergies and Terra Energies. The project, developed in collaboration with the municipality of Castets and the Côte Landes Nature local community since 2019, is now ready for construction, with work expected to begin in September 2026. Once operational, the project is expected to generate enough renewable electricity annually to meet the needs of approximately 3,800 households and avoid around 6,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

During development, particular attention was paid to environmentally sensitive areas. By optimizing the overall footprint and incorporating biodiversity enhancement and compensation measures, the project aims to improve local integration and maximize environmental benefits. As part of its commitment to engaging local stakeholders, BayWa r.e. launched a crowdfunding campaign for the Castets project in 2022 via the Lendosphere platform, attracting 67 investors and raising €65,000, enabling local residents to directly participate in the energy transition.

As part of the transaction, BayWa r.e. will continue to participate in the project as an EPC contractor and operations service provider, ensuring long-term technical management of the facility, while maintaining the project's local roots through the involvement of public and regional stakeholders. Benoît Roux, Managing Director of BayWa r.e. France, stated that the project demonstrates the company's ability to develop renewable energy solutions that balance local needs, environmental considerations, and long-term value creation. Dr. Daniel Gäfke, Chief Operating Officer, added that local partnerships are key to successfully delivering renewable energy projects, and this transaction illustrates how developers, regional investors, and public stakeholders can collaborate to bring clean energy projects to fruition, ensuring that the benefits are closely tied to the communities served.