Wind power

The EolJorat Nord project

The EolJorat Nord wind farm involves the installation of four wind turbines in the border areas of the communes of Corcelles-le-Jorat, Froideville, Jorat-Menthue and Poliez-Pittet. With its renewable energy production, it will help to provide the canton with a secure, local and sustainable energy supply.

The wind conditions and topography of Jorat, the highest peak on the Vaud plateau, are particularly favourable to responsible wind power development. The planning of the EolJorat Nord wind farm focuses on minimising the impact on the population, mainly by limiting the number of wind turbines to one per municipality. The concept also takes into account the economic interests of the local communities.

The EolJorat Nord project involves the installation of four wind turbines, each with a capacity of 3 to 4 MW. It is being developed by the Lausanne-based energy group Alpiq in partnership with the municipalities of Corcelles-le-Jorat, Jorat-Menthue, Froideville and Poliez-Pittet. It is one of the projects selected by the Canton of Vaud in its cantonal master plan.

Facts & Figures

Location

Bois du Jorat region, Vaud

Number of turbines:

4, type to be defined

Capacity

12 - 16 MW

Production

8100 households, 25 - 32 GWh/year

CO2 saved

35 t/day

Commissioning

unknown

The future wind farm will generate between 25 and 32 GWh per year, equivalent to the electricity consumption of around 8,100 households. It will therefore make a major contribution to the Canton of Vaud's green energy supply. The EolJorat Nord wind farm will benefit from feed-in remuneration at cost (KEV). The KEV is a federal instrument used to promote renewable energies. It guarantees producers of renewable electricity a purchase price for their electricity, thereby covering the financial risk of EolJorat Nord during its operation.

Photomontages

Peney-le-Jorat - Route des Paysans: View from the Route des Paysans at the end of Peney-le-Jorat. From left to right: wind turbines at Corcelles-le-Jorat, Jorat-Menthue, Forideville and Poliez-Pittet.

Peney-le-Jorat - Route des Paysans: View from the Route des Paysans at the end of Peney-le-Jorat. From left to right: wind turbines at Corcelles-le-Jorat, Jorat-Menthue, Forideville and Poliez-Pittet.

Poliez-Pittet - Route de Lausanne: View from the edge of the village of Poliez-Pittet on the route de Lausanne. In the foreground, the Poliez-Pittet wind turbine, approximately 1.25 km away.

Poliez-Pittet - Route de Lausanne: View from the edge of the village of Poliez-Pittet on the route de Lausanne. In the foreground, the Poliez-Pittet wind turbine, approximately 1.25 km away.

Froideville - Chemin des Epinettes: High point in the village of Froideville on the Chemin des Epinettes at the level of the relay antenna. From left to right: wind turbines in Poliez-Pittet, Froideville, Jorat-Menthue and Corcelles-le-Jorat.

Froideville - Chemin des Epinettes: High point in the village of Froideville on the Chemin des Epinettes at the level of the relay antenna. From left to right: wind turbines in Poliez-Pittet, Froideville, Jorat-Menthue and Corcelles-le-Jorat.

Gobet - Route du Chalet: View from the Route du Chalet looking north at the small radio transmitter. The wind turbine at Froideville is visible on the right, while the one at Poliez-Pittet is hidden by the grove of trees in the centre of the photograph. Approximate distance: 1.35 km.

Gobet - Route du Chalet: View from the Route du Chalet looking north at the small radio transmitter. The wind turbine at Froideville is visible on the right, while the one at Poliez-Pittet is hidden by the grove of trees in the centre of the photograph. Approximate distance: 1.35 km.

Project stages

The EolJorat Nord project was initiated in 2008. The construction of a wind farm such as EolJorat Nord has an impact on spatial planning and the environment. The procedure therefore provides for a study of the project's impact on the environment and the adoption of an inter-municipal Partial Allocation Plan (PPA) to regulate land use.

Project plan

The four wind turbines are located in the communes of Corcelles-le-Jorat, Froideville, Jorat-Menthue and Poliez-Pittet. They will be located on land belonging to the municipalities in order to maximise the financial benefits for the communities. Several criteria are decisive in the choice of locations. Among the most important: minimising nuisance to the population, wind conditions, integration into the landscape, impact on nature, access to the sites and connection to the electricity grid.

The way forward is currently being discussed with the partners.

Type of wind turbine

The final choice of manufacturer and type of wind turbine will be made following a call for tenders after the planning permission phase. See below anxample of wind turbines that could be installed and a data sheet for a typical wind turbine.

Rated power

3,000 to 4,000 kW

Blade length

40 to 70 m

Mast height

130 to 150 m

Mast diameter at base

~ 13 m

Number of blades

3

Starting wind speed

9 km/h

Cut-off wind speed

100 - 120 km/h

Direction of rotation

clockwise

Foundations

underground

Electrical connection

underground

Environment

Responsible development in terms of minimising the impact on the population and the environment requires a large number of specific, in-depth studies. As part of the EolJorat Nord project, an environmental impact report, which also covers the population, has been drawn up. It was submitted to the various departments of the Canton of Vaud concerned by the future wind farm, which examined and approved it. The following topics were covered: noise and vibration, flashing shadows, water and soil, natural environments, landscape and site, fauna and heritage.

Compensation measures

A number of compensation measures are planned as part of this project. They include:

  • Long-term maintenance of forest edges
  • Burying power lines
  • Expansion of the Refuge pond at Riond-Bosson
  • Revitalising various sites
  • Installation and maintenance of nest boxes and bird towers
  • Creation and reinforcement of sections of regional or supra-regional biological links

Les Communes partenaires

The involvement of the municipalities of Corcelles-le Jorat, Froideville, Jorat-Menthue and Poliez-Pittet and the support of their residents are essential to the realisation of the Eoljorat Nord wind farm.

Municipality

Corcelles-le-Jorat

Municipality

Froideville

Municipality

Jorat-Menthue

Municipality

Poliez-Pittet

Message from the Municipalities

«Our municipalities support a renewable and independent energy future. In the long term, we cannot rely on neighbouring countries to supply us with electricity. Energy independence and environmental protection must be at the heart of our concerns. Wind power is one concrete response to these issues. It is the duty of the communes to contribute, at their own level, to the development of new resources.»

« The Jorat, with its altitude and the regularity of the different types of wind that sweep through it, is particularly well suited to hosting a wind farm. Its excellent road access and proximity to electricity grids are also assets in favour of such a project. Numerous serious and comprehensive studies have been carried out. The cantonal authorities and various government departments have been consulted and support the project, which was included in cantonal planning in summer 2012. This wind farm represents a great opportunity to promote clean, local energy supplies. This initiative is an opportunity for the region. Thanks to it, the local authorities will be confirming their intention to take care of the heritage passed on to future generations. »

«We understand that such a project can be a source of questions and even concerns. However, we can emphasise that the EolJorat project has been intelligently planned with respect for the local population. We are therefore in favour of it, especially as it brings a much-awaited new dimension to our communes.»

The Canton of Vaud

The EolJorat Nord wind farm is one of the particularly favourable sites selected by the Canton of Vaud in its cantonal master plan.

Between now and 2035, the Canton of Vaud plans to produce between 500 and 1,000 GWh of wind-generated electricity a year, to ensure a secure supply that is compatible with environmental protection. With its four wind turbines, EolJorat Nord will make a significant contribution to the canton's objectives. It will boost domestic electricity production by around 3% and meet between 3% and 6% of the canton's wind power target. In this way, it will contribute to security of supply and meet the electricity needs of part of the population of the Jura-Nord vaudois region - secure electricity produced locally and sustainably.

 

Please reach out

If you have any questions or would like to share your views on the EolJorat Nord wind farm, please write to us!

E-Mail

The project developers

Alpiq

The project is being developed by the Lausanne-based energy group Alpiq.

KohleNusbaumer SA

The project is being developed with the support of the specialist engineering firm KohleNusbaumer.

Message from Alpiq

« The EolJorat Nord project is an important project for Alpiq, as it allows us to develop new renewable energies in Switzerland. At the beginning of 2011, Alpiq commissioned its first wind farm in Switzerland, in the canton of Jura. To continue this adventure, Alpiq is supporting the EolJorat Nord project in partnership with the communes concerned in this region of Vaud, which is characterised by its excellent wind conditions.»

« Alpiq attaches great importance to building exemplary projects, both in terms of protecting the population and integrating them into the landscape and environment. The production of EolJorat Nord will enhance the company's renewable energy offering and contribute to a supply mix capable of meeting future energy and climate challenges.»

Associations supporting wind energy in Switzerland

Suisse Eole

Suisse Eole is the umbrella association promoting the development of wind energy in Switzerland and raising awareness of its ecological, economic and social benefits.

Groupement Romand pour l'Energie Eolienne GREE

The Groupement Romand pour l'Energie Eolienne (GREE) brings together electricity companies and distributors that are developing the production of renewable energies, in line with the mandate given by the public authorities through the Stratégie Energie 2050.