Several members of the Co-PED consortium were recently in Marseille at La Friche for the Trans Europe Halles 101 conference to present the project in a workshop, which provided the opportunity to visit the roof and explore the site’s solar installations and future strategy. 

In Marseille’s Belle de Mai district, La Friche la Belle de Mai—a 45,000 m² former tobacco factory and iconic cultural hub—is taking concrete steps towards energy sovereignty. Operating as a cooperative urban common that brings together more than 90 artists, residents, and associations, La Friche has become a community-powered ecosystem. Several members of the Co-PED consortium were recently in Marseille at La Friche for the Trans Europe Halles 101 conference to present the project in a workshop, which provided the opportunity to visit the roof and explore the site’s solar installations and future strategy. We are grateful to Yann Loric, La Friche’s technical director, and Theo Schorderet from Enercoop—a green energy cooperative working in close partnership with La Friche on their technical development—for walking us through the technical and social complexities of the project.

Powering the site today

The current installation on La Friche’s own roof is owned by Massilia Sun System, a citizen-led cooperative born from the observation that Marseille has some of the best sunshine rates in Europe, yet this potential remains largely underused. This power plant includes around 800 panels with a capacity of approximately 3,000 kW and an annual production of about 3,500 MWh. The energy produced is sold to the grid for now, but it could be used on site for areas with high energy needs like the theatre or the restaurant, and could cover 25% of La Friche’s electricity consumption.

Building a local energy community

La Friche is now identifying and securing five additional rooftops to build a local energy community, targeting partners across the cultural sector, the social and solidarity economy (ESS), and various third places with rooftops of at least 1,000 m². With Enercoop leading the technical development, around 20 volunteers are currently identifying these new rooftops both in the surrounding neighbourhood—including municipal buildings and schools supported by the municipality—and within La Friche itself at Les Grandes Tables, the Frites building, Tour Jobin, Le Gyptis cinema, and the car park.

Production goals for 2026

In 2026, roof waterproofing works will enable a planned extension on La Friche’s own roof, creating new energy plots of around 900 m². Between these new energy plots and the five additional rooftops being secured, the solar energy produced is expected to cover between 50% and 70% of La Friche’s total energy consumption.

A community-driven model

The future energy community is envisioned as a flexible structure involving La Friche, the local third actors being added through the new rooftops, and other cultural or social venues that already have solar installations. A key part of the plan is the creation of a contributory energy fund, which would ensure that the project remains a shared resource for the community. Beyond these partners, the vision includes a deeper social layer: involving the broader community that frequents La Friche and the residents living in the immediate neighbourhood. These local actors are expected to be involved at a later stage as consumers, supported by La Friche staff who work closely with the area to ensure the project benefits those who live nearby.

Within Co-PED, La Friche’s goal is to create a clear path for ecological redirection by aligning culture with environmental responsibility and social equity. Through this initiative, the aim is to increase energy autonomy, promote sustainable practices, and foster a collective vision where the ecological transition is driven by culture and shared values.

Co-PED, funded by Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnership investigates the potential of social and cultural centers as catalysts for positive energy districts, nurturing a just energy transition that includes local communities.