Sprawling over an impressive 47,000 square meters, the solar facility comprises 19,000 photovoltaic panels. It’s not just its sheer size that stands out, its potential output is groundbreaking. Groupe E and Varo, the refinery’s owner, revealed that the facility’s production is equivalent to the energy consumption of around 2,000 households.
Alongside the solar park’s launch, Groupe E also unveiled a district heating system. Eduard Geus, Managing Director of Varo Energy’s Cressier production center, explained that the system harnesses excess heat generated by the Cressier refinery activities to supply neighboring communities.
Highlighting the significance of these milestones, Jacques Mauron, General Manager of Groupe E, asserted, “These achievements boost local and renewable energy production. It’s a crucial message for Switzerland, emphasizing the urgent need to manage its energy future and reduce its reliance on energy imports.”
Albert Rösti, Albert Rösti, Federal Councillor for Energy and the Environment, who graced the inauguration, lauded the project as “exemplary.” He underscored that such ventures are imperative for the realization of the country’s 2050 energy strategy. Rösti said, “To meet all our energy needs, the focus should be on developing hydraulic and alpine solar energy. It’s heartening to see companies beginning to invest.”
A testament to Western Switzerland’s innovation
Interestingly, about 5% of the site will be devoted to technological innovations steered by the CSEM based in Neuchâtel. The center aims to study the pros and cons of different installation configurations and technologies. The objective is to boost electricity production while simultaneously reducing maintenance costs.
The Cressier initiative resonates with the broader, ambitious narrative set in early 2022 when VARO Energy Group and Groupe E first announced the construction of the facility. Notably, it was then revealed that the facility would power a significant portion of Switzerland’s sole refinery and be a testament to the region’s innovation, with plans for biodiversity protection and collaborations with the CSEM for testing new solar panel generations.
