Lionel Gougelot (in Goeulzin)
The mayor of this small village of 1,300 inhabitants, near Douai in the North, is at the origin of the construction of a mini hydroelectric power station, located on the site of an old water mill. A solution to limit the electricity bill in times of inflation and which makes the municipality self-sufficient.
To avoid the explosion of energy prices, some municipalities are showing ingenuity. Near Douai, in Gœulzin, a mini hydroelectric power station has been built on the site of an old water mill. Its mayor had a flair, as the equipment was commissioned two years ago, making the village self-sufficient. “We are on the unloading arm of the river which fed the mill in the 17th century”, begins by explaining Francis Fustin, the mayor of Gœulzin.
The mill is now replaced by a water wheel activated by a flow of 600 liters per second, for a guaranteed production of 100,000 kilowatt hours per year, according to the mayor. “The electricity is primarily intended at night for lighting the village, for a consumption of around 35,000 kilowatt hours, and during the day for the domestic needs of the canteen, the town hall, the school, the library”, details he.
“To spend less, you had to produce”
And given the price of electricity, it is as much savings for the small town of 1,300 inhabitants. “I wanted to spend less on the electricity budget and to spend less, I had to produce. In order not to increase the expenses of the municipality and therefore the taxes of my constituents”, develops the mayor.
An approach welcomed by David, one of the residents of the small hydroelectric plant. “It’s very original and for the municipality it only brings good. And since they put an extra box to limit noise – because it was noisy – I find it good”, he analyzes . With the savings made, the investment in the hydroelectric plant is almost profitable.