- Local lawmakers from Loire-Atlantique urge President Macron to reverse the planned 2027 closure of the Cordemais coal power plant, citing environmental commitments and local economic impacts.
- Shutting down the plant could eliminate around 470 jobs and disrupt the region’s energy stability, contradicting the government’s previous promises to convert the facility to biomass.
Eight deputies and senators from Loire-Atlantique challenged the French government’s energy policy on the planned closure of the Cordemais coal power plant. They sent an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron, urging him to reverse the planned 2027 plant closure. The lawmakers accuse the government of breaking its environmental promises after EDF abandoned a green conversion project.
Signatories include France Insoumise deputies Ségolène Amiot and Matthias Tavel, as well as socialist deputies Karim Benbrahim and Fabrice Roussel. Four senators, including Karine Daniel (PS) and Ronan Dantec (Ecologist), support the initiative. They emphasise the plant’s critical role in supplying energy to the region.
In September 2023, Macron pledged that the Cordemais plant, one of France’s last two operational coal-fired plants, would fully convert to biomass by 2027—the Ecocombust project aimed to replace coal with wood waste pellets. However, in September 2024, EDF announced it would halt the project. The company cited high costs and uncertainties about its long-term viability.
The parliamentarians warn that closing the Cordemais plant would eliminate the region’s most reliable dispatchable electricity production unit. This type of facility can adjust its output based on demand. They argue that the plant remains essential for maintaining energy stability in the Pays de la Loire region.
Additionally, the lawmakers raised concerns about the economic impact of the closure. They estimate it will result in the loss of approximately 350 direct jobs at EDF and around 120 positions for subcontractors. The parliamentarians believe EDF’s proposed replacement project, which involves producing components for future nuclear power plants through its subsidiary, Framatome, will not compensate for these job losses.
The potential closure of the Cordemais plant raises broader questions about France’s energy transition strategy. The biomass conversion represents a balanced approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while safeguarding local employment. By abandoning this project, the lawmakers argue that EDF undermines the government’s commitment to harmonising ecological and economic goals.
The parliamentarians accuse the government of inconsistency in its energy policy. They point out that the closure is critical for France, which is working to lower its carbon emissions while ensuring energy security. For these lawmakers, converting coal plants to biomass is a viable solution that aligns with environmental and industrial goals.
The lawmakers argue that the Cordemais plant’s closure would create significant ramifications for the region. It could disrupt the energy supply, affecting both consumers and businesses. They emphasise that the local economy relies heavily on the plant’s operation and that the loss of jobs would ripple throughout the community.
Furthermore, the parliamentarians contend that EDF’s decision contradicts Macron’s previous commitments to the region. They believe preserving the plant remains crucial for achieving France’s long-term energy goals while maintaining local employment.
In conclusion, the eight deputies and senators from Loire-Atlantique urged the government to reconsider closing the Cordemais coal power plant. They call for a solution that balances ecological commitments with the region’s economic needs.
The plant’s future remains uncertain, but local lawmakers remain determined to advocate for its continuation. Their push reflects broader concerns about energy policy and job security in France’s transition to a greener economy.