Fund the acquisition of a hydroelectric power plant in Champagne
The Acta Clairvaux project, developed by Acta Power, involves acquiring and rehabilitating a run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant located in Champagne. This is the second fundraising campaign by this project developer on Total Energies Invest following a first success: Acta Aquitaine .
This portfolio contributes to the deployment of low-carbon energy and energy sovereignty. 950 MWh of clean electricity will be produced each year, equivalent to the consumption (excluding heating) of more than 425 people *
For this operation, Acta Power is seeking to raise €1,500,000 in a single tranche .
The power plant, already in operation, has secured a new electricity purchase contract in exchange for renovation and performance improvement works to enhance its performance .
*Annual electricity consumption of a household excluding heating: 4,792 kWh ( Ademe ), 2.15 people per household ( Insee )
Vue aérienne du Moulin de la Forge basse de Clairvaux © Envinergy
The offer
Acta Power , a French company, offers an investment opportunity in the financing of a hydroelectric power plant located in Champagne, grouped within the company Acta Clairvaux.
OBJECTIVE
The crowdfunding operation of Acta Clairvaux aims to raise up to 1,500,000 euros .
USE OF FUNDS
These funds will be used by the project holder to finance the acquisition of the hydroelectric plant and launch the renovation . The targeted assets are grouped within the company SAS CHBC, and the SCI de la Forge basse de Clairvaux currently owns the land.
REPAYMENT
The repayment of the bonds will take place through long-term refinancing .
SECURITY
Investors benefit from a first-rank pledge on the securities account of the issuing company .
TAX SAVING MEASURE
The project is eligible for the PEA PME. If you wish more information, visit our blog article on L’Empreinte , watch our video on Youtube or on this subject.
LEGAL STRUCTURE AND TOTAL ENERGIES INVEST’S INVOLVEMENT
Specifications
Investment phases
- Investment open to everyone
End of project financing
Resources
Simulator
Investment simulation
Acta Clairvaux -
Obligation
8%/year over 3 years
- PEA-PME
Simulation - Rate : 8% / year on 3 ans
Initial investment:
€5,000
Repayments and interest:
€6,200
In 3 transfers
| Date | Interest* | Capital | Amount |
| 28/01/2027 | €400 | €0 | €400 |
| 28/01/2028 | €400 | €0 | €400 |
| 28/01/2029 | €400 | €5,000 | €5,400 |
| Total | €1,200 | €5,000 | €6,200 |
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*Gross interest before tax, including all fees ( view taxation ) The result presented is not a forecast of the future performance of your investments. It is only intended to illustrate the mechanics of your investment over the investment period. The evolution of the value of your investment may vary from what is shown, either increasing or decreasing. |
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The project
🧬 The genesis
Acta Power began its activity by developing software for identifying suitable sites for the installation of hydroelectric power stations and modelling flow rates. With this experience and the company’s internal expertise, Acta Power now brings together four professional partners in renewable energy production, from initial development to operational management, and has become an electricity producer, primarily through the acquisition of existing hydroelectric power plants .
A first set of three power plants is in the process of being acquired in Aquitaine, thanks to a successful initial fundraising campaign on Total Energies Invest, and Acta Power is developing a second hub in Champagne. The Clairvaux power plant is the first to be identified to launch this hub, with several more to follow.
💧 Technology: hydroelectric power
Hydropower is the leading source of renewable electricity in France (and the second largest low-carbon source after nuclear), accounting for nearly 14% of the electricity mix in 2014 ( RTE ).
In 2023, hydroelectric power represented an installed capacity of 25,864 MW ( France Hydro Électricité ). It is broken down into more than 2,500 facilities distributed by power as follows:
- Step-through power stations 26%
- Sluice-type power stations 16%
- Reservoir power stations 40%
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STEP: pumped storage power station 18%
💡 Did you know?
Run-of-river power stations are located on rivers and streams. There is no water retention and electricity is produced in real time, with no storage capacity, unlike dams. Run-of-river power stations have little or no capacity to modulate their production according to demand, and their output varies greatly depending on climatic events (rainfall, droughts, seasons, etc.).
On the other hand, they only require simple modifications that are less costly than those needed for higher-power plants. Therefore, their production costs are lower, which compensates for the reduced service provided.
🌊 The power station
Acta Power, through its subsidiary Acta Clairvaux, will acquire the Molino de la Forge baja de Clairvaux mill .
The history of the forge is closely linked to that of Clairvaux Abbey, founded in 1115 by Saint Bernard. In the 12th century, this forge used hydraulic power to drive hammers and bellows and optimise iron production.
| Project name | Lower Forge Mill at Clairvaux | | — | — | Department 10 - Dawn | Exploited watercourse | L’Aube, classified in list 2 | | Turbine power before the works | 280 kW | | Turbine power after the works | 249 kW |
The hydroelectric power station has an imprescriptible and inalienable water right according to the regulation of 23 December 1850 for a maximum gross power of 434 kW.
🚧 Renovation works
Since 19/06/2009, the power station has had an H07 electricity resale contract with EDF OA (purchase obligation) valid until 18/06/2029. Acta Clairvaux aims to obtain a new purchase price, H16bis , for a power of 249 kW injectable into the Enedis network . This contract requires replacement with new equipment:
- the hydraulic loading equipment from the last water intake grille to the turbine, the turbine,
- generating machines,
- the producer’s own connection works.
These refurbishment works represent a budget of €910,000.
Limiting the power to less than 250 kW allows connection to the Enedis low-voltage grid. This feature saves on a medium-high voltage connection, which represents an investment of just over €100,000, in exchange for a decrease in production of only a few percentage points.
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🐟 Environmental impact on aquatic fauna
Current and future turbines allow fish to pass through during dewatering (from top to bottom). Fish can cross the pre-screen and turbine without harm. In addition, Acta Power will study, with the help of the DDT (Departmental Directorate of Territories, a decentralised government service responsible for land-use planning), the technical feasibility of a fish passage for migration (from bottom to top).
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Impact
Project owners
🌊 Experts in Hydropower Project Development
Founded in 2022, Acta Power specializes in the development of renewable energy projects, particularly hydropower. Positioned across all phases of projects, from development to operation, the company focuses on solutions best integrated into their environment.
Carried by 4 partners with over 65 years of combined experience in energy and hydropower, Acta Power has developed several services that it offers to different actors in the hydropower sector in Europe.
Screening
Cross-analysis of numerous geographical data sources to compile inventories of sites with high renewable energy potential (gravitational hydropower, pumped-storage, or photovoltaic projects)
Hydrological Modeling
1. Watercourse Flow
The team from French public research develops modeling tools based on the latest work from INRAE, to reconstruct past flows and predict future flows of watercourses.
2. Impact of Climate Change
In collaboration with the Laboratory of Climate and Environmental Sciences (LSCE), Acta Power analyzes the expected impacts of climate change on hydrology to ensure the sustainability of projects.
3. Evaporation of Water Bodies
Based on the FLake model, Acta Power's simulations allow for reliable, rapid, and cost-effective evaluation of water loss due to evaporation across various water bodies.
Our analysis
Risk overview
Refinancing risk
Credit risk related to the company's ability to refinance and meet its debt obligations.
Mitigation methods
Operating cash flows from the sale of electricity at the guaranteed purchase price are expected to begin in early 2028. Until then, the power plant's operations will not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to repay Total Energies Invest's debt principal. Repayment will therefore come from refinancing via an investment fund or a new participatory bond issue. The risk here is that operations will take time to generate cash flows, which could lead to refinancing in the long term. The risk here is therefore that it will take time for the plant to generate cash flow, which could lead to refinancing in the long term. This risk is mitigated by the nature of the work to be carried out. As the plant is already in operation, it has established structures, limiting the labour required to the replacement of the turbine and the adaptation of the machinery and distribution network to it.
Operating risks
Risk related to an activity that depends on a limited number of key persons responsible for carrying out the planned strategy. The risk is that one of these key persons leaves the project.
Mitigation methods
The project developer does not have a track record in managing this type of project. However, the partners who founded Acta Power have a successful track record as managers of teams responsible for financing, developing, building and operating small and large hydroelectric power plants. Although the plant has a power purchase agreement, it will not be in operation during the upgrade work. The project owner therefore presents a financial risk without solid cash flow. To mitigate this risk, Total Energies Invest's financing has been structured to provide a sufficient cash cushion while awaiting bank financing, which is also sized to offer a comfortable liquidity margin.
Investing in this participatory financing project involves risks, including the risk of total or partial loss of the capital invested. Your investment is not covered by the deposit guarantee schemes established in accordance with directive 2014/49/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council . Your investment is also not covered by the investor compensation schemes established in accordance with Directive 97/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council . Return on investment is not guaranteed. This is not a savings product, and we recommend that you not to invest more than 10% of your net assets in participatory finance projects. You may not be able to sell the investment instruments when you wish. If you are able to sell them, however, you may incur losses.
