In France, VINCI Concessions delivers modernization works on nine automatic dams on the Meuse
At the end of August 2020, BAMEO – subsidiary of VINCI Concessions – commissioned the last 9 automatic dams between Charleville-Mézières and Verdun, in the East of France. This key step marks the completion of the modernization work phase of the public-private partnership contract signed between BAMEO and VNF (Voies Navigables de France) comprising 31 dams on the Aisne and the Meuse.
These structures are now remotely controlled by the staff of the company SeMAO from the Operations Center located in Lumes, near Charleville-Mézières in the Ardennes. VNF and BAMEO have joined forces to modernize the Aisne and Meuse dams and thus participate in the network modernization program managed by VNF.
The replacement of manual needle dams built in the 19th century by automated dams is a major issue for VNF in terms of navigability, safety and biodiversity. The modernization of the dams makes it possible to improve the operating conditions of the personnel, to make the maintenance of the water line more reliable and to improve the service to users (navigation, irrigation, drinking water supply, etc.). The project takes a decisive step and enters a new phase. All the automated structures are now supervised and operated by the personnel of the company SeMAO from the Operations Center located in Lumes, near Charleville-Mézières in the Ardennes. Two secondary operating sites located in Vic-sur-Aisne and Stenay allow technicians to intervene quickly if necessary, both on the Aisne and on the Meuse.
On October 24, 2013, VNF signed the first public-private partnership on inland waterways with the BAMEO Company. This 30-year contract – including 5 years of works from 2015 – covers the design, construction, financing, operating, maintenance and major overhaul of 29 dams.
BAMEO is a dedicated project company, created under the partnership contract with Voies navigables de France for the reconstruction and automation of the dams of the Aisne and the Meuse. BAMEO is made up of three shareholders: VINCI Concessions (50%), MERIDIAM (30%) and SHEMA – EDF Group (20%)
