Q ENERGY and the Association of Rural Mayors of France join forces to make rural areas the driving force behind French energy independence

The Association of Rural Mayors of France (AMRF) and Q ENERGY France have signed a partnership agreement to strengthen cooperation between rural elected officials and industry around a common goal: to accelerate the electrification of uses and build the country's energy sovereignty from rural areas.
 

Energy sovereignty is at stake in the regions

Faced with rising electricity demand, the reindustrialization of the country, and the climate emergency, France must roll out carbon-free, local electricity that is accessible to all on a massive scale. 

Rural communities, which account for most of the country's land and energy potential, are at the heart of this transformation. This is what the AMRF is promoting through the Grand Atelier des maires ruraux pour la transition écologique (Grand Workshop of Rural Mayors for Ecological Transition).   This agreement supports and promotes local initiatives that contribute to building a more sustainable future.

It is in this spirit that Q ENERGY France and the AMRF are joining forces: to better support elected officials in the energy transition, operators in their work by facilitating dialogue between public and private actors, and to promote the municipal benefits of renewable projects.
 

Cooperation based on proximity and co-construction

The agreement is based on three very concrete commitments:

• Establishing regular dialogue with rural elected officials to explain projects, respond to local needs, and anticipate regional expectations.
• Supporting municipalities that wish to engage in the electrification of uses by sharing tools, feedback, and best practices.
• Promoting local benefits: taxation, jobs, public services, revitalisation of regions, and modernisation of networks.

Together, the two partners intend to demonstrate that the energy transition can be both a national project and a local opportunity.
 

"A shared vision: making rural areas the pillars of French energy sovereignty."

Guillaume Guémard, Wind Energy Director at Q ENERGY France, said: "The electrification of uses is at the heart of our energy sovereignty. To achieve this transformation, we must rely on the regions, their expertise, and the relationship of trust built with rural elected officials. By signing this agreement with the AMRF, we are affirming our commitment to working alongside elected officials to make energy a lever for vitality and local attractiveness."

"Rural areas are the first to be affected by the ecological transition and are ready to take ownership of the issue. It is mainly in these areas that renewable energies will need to be developed. Rural communities offer proximity to citizens, which facilitates dialogue and cultural change. This is the conviction and commitment of our network, driven by the unprecedented action of the Grand Atelier des maires ruraux pour la transition écologique (Great Workshop of Rural Mayors for Ecological Transition)," explains Fanny Lacroix, Vice President of the AMRF.

About Q ENERGY France  

Q ENERGY is a major player in the renewable energy market in France. The company has been involved in the development, construction, and operation of wind and solar power projects for over 25 years. Now also positioned in the energy storage market, Q ENERGY is continuing its expansion into new areas such as green hydrogen in order to offer smart, comprehensive solutions for the production and supply of sustainable energy in France. The company has nearly 300 employees and seven branches across the country, including its headquarters in Avignon. Q ENERGY France is part of the European holding company Q ENERGY Solutions, based in Berlin and created in 2021 by Hanwha Solutions with the aim of leading the next generation of green and flexible energy production in Europe.   
 

About the AMRF

Founded in 1971, the Association of Rural Mayors of France (AMRF) brings together nearly 13,500 rural mayors within a supportive network of 88 departmental associations, completely independent of political powers and parties. United by a strong identity, AMRF members represent the voice of rural communities to defend their specific issues. Thanks to its activism and representativeness, the AMRF is now the key representative of rural municipalities in dealings with public authorities and major national operators. Since 2022, it has been leading an unprecedented initiative known as the Grand Atelier des maires ruraux de France (Great Workshop of Rural Mayors of France). In particular, it advocates for greater financial recognition of municipalities in their role in facilitating the development of renewable energy sources. www.amrf.fr