Aluminium Dunkerque and TSE launch the construction of an exceptional parking shade with Equans Solar & Storage and Gagnepark

An ambitious photovoltaic parking shade installation for Aluminium Dunkerque

The day after the inauguration of its No. 8 oven dedicated to aluminum recycling, Aluminium Dunkerque, a major producer of primary aluminum in Europe, is proud to announce the launch of an ambitious photovoltaic parking shade project on its site. This project is supported by the solar energy reference in France, TSE, as part of a consortium with Equans Solar & Storage and Gagnepark.

It represents an investment of 3.5 million euros, illustrating Aluminium Dunkerque's commitment to energy and environmental transition. This project will cover the entire company car park with solar panels. Connected to the site's high-voltage network, they will allow direct self-consumption of renewable electricity. The photovoltaic power plant, whose construction has started, will produce 3200 MWh per year from 2026. The investment will allow the complete modernization of lighting and the installation of new charging stations for electric vehicles at the industrial site that consumes the most electricity in France.

An exceptional industrial project of 6600 photovoltaic panels

The central path, which is more than 300 meters long, will be sheltered by an exceptional industrial shade thanks to the skills of the TSE group, solar energy producer, Equans Solar & Storage and Gagnepark: more than 28 meters of creeping, up to 7 meters in height and 6600 panels totaling a power of 3.2MWc. Protecting against the effects of climate change, the structure also meets a regulatory obligation for car parks of more than 1500m² enshrined in Law No. 2023-175 of 10 March 2023.

To develop and build this photovoltaic shade, a consortium was selected bringing together key expertise in each field.

Equans Solar & Storage, leader of the group of companies, is in charge of the electricity package, the supply of modules and inverters as well as the connection of the solar power plant to the factory's high-voltage installation. A specific phase was defined in consultation with the stakeholders to maintain the use of the employee car park during the work.

“With TSE and Gagnepark, Equans Solar & Storage is once again demonstrating its ability to surround itself with professional players in the sector to develop, finance, build, operate and maintain photovoltaic farms. This custom shade project meets Aluminium Dunkerque's challenges in terms of decarbonizing their activity and complying with regulations (tertiary decree, APER law, etc.) and reflects our development ambitions in the C&I segment,” underlines Pierre Martin-Granel, director of PVFrance Europe at Equans Solar & Storage, highlights Pierre Martin-Granel, director of PVFrance Europe, etc.

Supporting French industry through sovereign, green and competitive energy

For Aluminium Dunkerque, TSE, a renewable energy producer, provides a guarantee of success through its technical expertise and know-how in the development, design and operation of photovoltaic power plants. Its sister company, Altus energy, is dedicated to the in-house maintenance of assets. The project required major studies relating to the constraints of a SEVESO industrial site and required the coordination of essential actors such as the Grand Port Maritime of Dunkerque and the manager RTE.

A leading player in solar energy and agrivoltaics in France, member of French Tech, TSE is positioned as an industry partner for electrical supply and decarbonization.

For Alban Casimir, Deputy CEO for Industrial Convergence at TSE, “Aluminium Dunkerque is a strategic manufacturer for our national sovereignty. This project illustrates TSE's ability to transform technical and environmental challenges into concrete industrial opportunities. TSE is committed to supporting French industry and its competitiveness through green and cheap electricity. Without energy, there is no industry. While France imports more than 60% of its needs, we need to electrify to gain sovereignty. Our nuclear and solar electricity mix is a French know-how that generates value in our territories and strengthens our economy.”

For Eric Raddaz, President of Gagnepark: “The Aluminum Dunkerque project is a first for Ombrapark because it is carried out by design and construction within the TSE and Equans Solar & Storage group. For almost 20 years, the Gagnepark group has been developing its parking expertise around three entities: Ombrapark, Gagnepark, EMS. Specializing in the design, engineering and construction of silo car parks and photovoltaic shades, Gagnepark's mission is to contribute to sustainable mobility by reinventing the parking space in cities, communities, businesses and industries.”

An ambitious project in favor of the French energy transition

Aluminium Dunkerque, in collaboration with its partners, reaffirms its commitment to the energy transition and the reduction of its carbon footprint.

“This self-consumption parking shade project is an example; it is a key step in achieving our socio-environmental goals. It illustrates our desire to actively contribute to a more sustainable future”, testifies Laurent Courtois, Energy and Climate Director at Aluminium Dunkerque.