Repurposing former motorway land to produce renewable energy
In Culhat, in France’s Puy-de-Dôme department, a former site used during the construction of the A89 motorway is now home to the Champlas solar power plant. Developed and built by SunMind, a subsidiary of VINCI Concessions, on land owned by VINCI Autoroutes, also a member of the network, the plant is expected to generate nearly 6,000 MWh of renewable electricity per year.
With 7,722 solar panels and an installed capacity of 4.8 MWp, the plant is expected to generate enough electricity each year to meet the equivalent of the annual consumption of around 1,500 households. The project also puts nearly 4 hectares of existing land to use, highlighting how expertise across the VINCI Concessions network can be combined to develop new uses for existing infrastructure.
Combining the expertise of VINCI Autoroutes and SunMind
This project highlights the complementary expertise of VINCI Autoroutes and SunMind. VINCI Autoroutes made available land that was no longer required for operational purposes. SunMind developed, financed and built the solar power plant, and will operate it until 2036.
The site was originally used during the construction of the A89 motorway to accommodate equipment for producing the asphalt used in the road surface. After construction was completed, it continued to be used occasionally for major motorway maintenance works. Its conversion into a solar power plant gives the site a new purpose, making use of existing land to generate renewable electricity locally without requiring additional land.
A solar power plant built in just a few months
Launched in early 2026, construction progressively transformed the site to accommodate the new solar power plant. Following site preparation and the installation of access roads and utility networks, the teams installed the foundations, metal support structures and 7,722 solar panels. The final stages involved electrical cabling, the installation of 12 inverters and the delivery substation, before the plant was connected to the electricity grid.
From road infrastructure to energy generation, the Champlas solar power plant reflects a broader ambition: making better use of existing infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of local communities.
