The Chemin de Grès wind farm, located 40km north of Saint-Quentin in northern France, has successfully achieved financial close. Mott MacDonald was lenders’ technical advisor to Crédit Industriel et Commercial (CIC) during the scheme’s financing stage and will now monitor construction in an ongoing role.
Consisting of nine 3.3MW Vestas turbines, the 30MW wind farm will be capable of powering approximately 50,000 households once in operation.
Mott MacDonald’s technical due diligence included reviewing the capabilities of the project’s stakeholders and assessing the wind turbine generator technology, site suitability, grid connection and geotechnical, electrical and civil designs. The consultancy also appraised the construction schedule, construction and operation contracts and proposed energy yield.
Christopher Murray, Mott MacDonald’s project manager, said: “The main lead arranger CIC and Boralex France SAS, the project sponsor, are both regular clients of ours. We have supported both parties to successfully reach financial close on several projects totalling more than 155MW in recent years.”
“Our high standard of technical advisory services and knowledge of the French energy market were key aspects of our project delivery as we helped the scheme to swiftly achieve financial close,” Christopher added.
The Chemin de Grès wind farm is scheduled to enter operation by the end of 2017.