Solar canopies at the Safran site in Blagnac

With the sun shining down, Safran celebrated the inauguration of its new solar canopies in the car park of its site in Blagnac, outside Toulouse. Conducted in collaboration with Idex, this ambitious project is part of a broader plan to install solar power plants at nine Safran sites across France. Tasked with this project, Idex demonstrated its expertise in implementation. The Safran site in Blagnac site was the first solar installation at a Safran site in France. Read on to find out more about the project, from the original idea through to implementation and the official opening on 14 June. 

What are the challenges of this ambitious project? What are the benefits for Safran? Who were the key players? What makes this project particularly interesting?  

To find out, let’s look back at the history of the Safran project in Blagnac: from its beginnings to its implementation by Idex! 

Every project starts with an ambition. In this case, Safran wanted to reduce its carbon footprint and manage energy costs. To achieve this goal, the company is implementing an active strategy of sustainable development strategy to meet its environmental objectives. The idea of installing solar canopies emerged as a response to this need.

In November 2021, Safran launched a call for tender for solar solutions. The idea was to use solar energy to power Safran sites in France, as part of a sustainable and innovative approach. 

This ambitious project required a meticulous and detailed approach: Safran wanted to install solar panels while closely monitoring the entire process, from design to maintenance. A further objective was for the solar solution to meet the main challenge of significantly reducing both energy bills and on-site CO2 emissions . Looking beyond figures, the company is underlining its social and environmental responsibility through this project: Safran is actively involved in the energy transition taking place across the aerospace industry. 

The objective with this project was to lay the foundations for sweeping, forward-thinking change in the aerospace industry! Safran was keen to highlight its commitment to the environment with a partner able to provide support for its energy transition.

Over a year, Safran took the time to study the proposals, working with Idex on fine-tuning the details of its bid. In October 2022, after a non-exhaustive assessment of Safran's needs, Idex was chosen to equip nine French sites. The proposal was fine-tuned to meet the group's needs. Idex signed a 25-year turnkey contract for the design, installation, financing and operation of several solar canopies across nine Safran sites.

Idex is recognised for its expertise in low-carbon energies, particularly solar technologies. Another factor was the commitment made by Idex to supplying solar panels made in France, in line with Safran's ambitions to support the national energy industry. Idex is a leading player in low-carbon solutions with over  60 years of experience, and this background was also a guarantee of quality for the final installations. With Idex as a trusted partner, Safran was ready to make its vision a reality, from both a technical and environmental standpoint. 

With Idex selected as the partner for the nine Safran sites, the project could go ahead. The Safran site in Blagnac started the ball rolling by installing solar canopies in its parking area. This required the close collaboration of experts whose role was essential to the project's success. 

For the Safran project in Blagnac, Idex worked with Eiffage for the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) package. Responsible and adaptive in its approach, Eiffage ensured smooth and secure management of the worksite. Safety is a priority for Idex, and this mindset contributed to the smooth progress of work at the Safran Blagnac site. Another key partner in this project was Voltec, which supplied the French-built anti-reflective solar panels. These panels added value to the Idex proposal. Designed to reduce solar reflection with no trade-off in efficiency, they also adapt to the site's aesthetic and environmental requirements. The choice of Voltec underlines the local and sustainable side of the Safran Blagnac project. 

The internal players working at the Safran Blagnac site, were crucial to the success of the project, ensuring smooth coordination between project stakeholders, including Idex project managers. Through the daily involvement of both Idex and Safran, we were able to overcome the logistical challenges raised by this type of project. Managing on-site vehicles, for example, was a major challenge. 

At Idex, we believe that a well-managed project depends on smooth communication and continuously renewed expertise. The Safran Blagnac site was a great example of this! 

The Safran Blagnac project was not without its challenges, but the benefits are significant. After six months of work, the project was clearly in line with the initial ambitions of reducing the site’s carbon footprint and managing electricity costs. 

At the same time, the stakeholders made every effort to avoid hindering the site's activities. This was achieved through the creation of two temporary parking areas during the closure of the existing parking area to allow work to continue on the 2,480 m² area to be fitted out. Further, the Safran Blagnac site is close to Toulouse-Blagnac airport, so the project required approval by the DGAC French civil aviation authority. The purpose was to ensure that the installations built by Idex would not interfere with nearby aviation activities. The benefits of a turnkey proposal are also important at these decisive stages. 

The project has delivered huge benefits. 

The solar canopies installed at the Safran Blagnac site have a capacity of 500 kWp, allowing Safran to develop self-consumption while selling the surplus electricity produced. Covering almost 150 parking spaces, the installation generates 545 MWh/year (equivalent to the annual consumption of over 120 French households). It also has a significant impact on the carbon footprint of Safran Blagnac, slashing CO2 emissions by 23 tonnes per year! 

Safran Blagnac is the first of nine sites to be equipped by Idex. A great success, with many more to come, and one that merited an opening ceremony. 

How do you go about opening a solar canopy installation? Spotlight on Wednesday 14 June!

The official opening of the Safran Blagnac project took place on Friday 14 June. The result of a collaboration between Idex, its partners and Safran. Employees, partners, local businesses and elected representatives came together from 3:30 pm for the official inauguration of this project, a new milestone in Safran's energy transition. 

It was an original ceremony, given that it took place in the car park,  which was specially fitted out to allow guests to see the finished installations in operation! It was a sunny day, in keeping with the upbeat mood of the event. The speakers highlighted the technical and logistical success of the project. The event  was also an opportunity to underline the benefits of a smaller carbon footprint while restating Safran's commitment to the environment. Participants praised the avant-garde aesthetics of the parking area, which will set the standard for the future, with non-reflective solar panels that enhance the landscape. Designed for up to 150 vehicles, the solar canopies offer protection against the elements (rain, snow, sun) for both visitors and employees. A real improvement in comfort for all users!

A  photographer was present to cover the day’s events, which ended with a cocktail party, where guests were able to continue their discussions. Through these projects, Idex is keen to develop strong ties with customers and partners. The opening ceremony was deemed outstanding by all those who attended! 

The day was a great success, underlining the achievements of the Safran Blagnac project, and illustrating the vision shared by all present for a greener future. Safran Blagnac is now a model to follow.

This will be the case for the other Safran sites soon to be fitted out with solar canopies by Idex: this is just the beginning of the Safran X Idex energy transition...