Cheniers wind farm
When the power of the wind keeps trains moving: a wind farm driving sustainable mobility.
- 36 MW of installed capacity
- 90 GWh of annual production
- €68 million investment
Cheniers wind farm
Located in the Marne department, across the municipalities of Cheniers and Villers-le-Château, Cheniers wind farm builds on the legacy of the Thibie (operational since 2016) and Germinon wind farms. Established in the heart of a vast agricultural plain, this project is the result of several years of rigorous technical and environmental studies.
Comprising 8 wind turbines, the wind farm generates an average of 90 GWh of electricity per year, equivalent to 58% of the residential electricity needs of the Châlons-en-Champagne urban area.
Key stakeholders
The wind farm is owned by Cheniers Énergies, a company majority-owned by VALOREM, an independent green energy operator. Construction was carried out by VALREA, while VALEMO is responsible for operation and maintenance.
The electricity produced is sold directly to SNCF Énergie, a wholly owned subsidiary of SNCF Voyageurs, under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA). This green energy covers the equivalent of the annual consumption of the TGV Paris–Rennes line or all Intercités services.
1 A commitment to local employment
In partnership with the Mission Locale employment agency, VALOREM Group supported the return to work of five individuals living within 30 kilometers of the site. These long-term job seekers worked a total of nearly 600 hours, carrying out tasks such as maintaining the site facilities and assembling network infrastructure.
During the operational phase, landscape maintenance is entrusted to a local ESAT (a French organization promoting the employment of people with disabilities), further reinforcing the Group’s commitment to social inclusion and local job creation.
2 An optimized grid connection
To connect the Cheniers wind farm to the national grid, VALOREM Group built a High Voltage B substation in Fagnières, on a former Cristal Union site, close to the Compertrix primary substation.
This facility steps up the voltage of the electricity produced from 33 kV (medium voltage) to 63 kV (high voltage), enabling its injection into the public transmission network operated by RTE. Ultimately, it will facilitate the connection of up to 70 MW of renewable energy projects, including Cheniers Énergies and Villers-le-Château Énergies (currently under permitting).
This strategic choice was made in close coordination with RTE to address the saturation of the Compertrix primary substation, and is based on detailed technical, environmental, and economic studies.
3 Concrete actions to support local biodiversity
In line with the French Law for the restoration of biodiversity, nature and landscapes, VALOREM Group developed an 8,300 m² site featuring hedgerows and a wooded area. This biodiversity haven promotes the development of local wildlife by providing shelter and resources for birds, insects, and small mammals. Annual ecological monitoring is carried out by the Departmental Hunters’ Federation.
In addition, with the support of a local nursery, 170 fruit trees were planted on the properties of volunteer residents in Cheniers and Villers-le-Château, enhancing biodiversity within the villages.
Pictures of the wind farm
