This dynamic is rooted in a long history of local struggles dating back to the 1960s. They were marked by some strong figures, such as Paul Houée, priest, INRA researcher and mayor of Saint-Gilles-du-Mené. At that time, the concern was to maintain jobs in a declining single-crop rural area. Interest in renewable energies emerged later, in the early 2000s.
Energy policy developed over 20 years and became more ambitious. The goal of energy autonomy was set for 2025. It all started from the willingness of a group of farmers to find solutions to manage their organic waste. In Northern Europe it was discovered that they could be transformed to produce energy through anaerobic digestion.
The Geotexia project would take 11 years to materialise thanks to the financial support of the Caisse des Dépôts and local industrialists, including Kermené. Elected officials, many of whom are farmers, have realised the importance of developing renewable energy production because the money stays in the territory and strengthens the local economy. Very quickly, there was a shared desire to create an energy mix from available natural resources.
This energy policy earned the territory recognition as a Positive Energy Territory (TEPOS).
The energy transition law of July 2015 established a special fund of 1.5 billion euros to strengthen exemplary local initiatives in the area of energy transition. The MENÉ territory was selected from 212 communities that were selected as "Positive Energy Territories for Green Growth" (TEPCV). It was awarded a prize of 500,000 euros.
Over a 10-year period, combining public and private financing, 30 million euros have been invested in renewable energy in Mené. The TEPCV subsidy from the Ministry of Ecology represents just under 2% of this sum.
- Planning
- Regulating
- Kick-starting
- Local institution