French energy group EDF has abandoned plans for its Ecocombust project intended to convert the Cordemais coal-fired power plant into one burning pellets made from class B wood waste often derived from furniture wood. The plant was to cease using coal by 2027. “As the technical and economic requirements for the Ecocombust project have not been met, EDF plans not to pursue biomass conversion project at Cordemais thermal power plant and confirms its intention to maintain industrial activity at the site,” a statement noted.
EDF said the project “will be submitted for consultation to the employee representative bodies”. It will include “support for employees throughout the process and the possibility of remaining at the site until their career plans are finalised, and in any event until 2029”.
Meanwhile, through its subsidiary Framatome, EDF is planning to create a prefabrication plant on the Cordemais site for the manufacturing of the main secondary system piping destined for the EPR2 reactors. “This piping is a critical component of the construction programme. EDF and Framatome are already carrying out feasibility studies for the plant on this site and are engaged in dialogue with all the stakeholders concerned. The plant would employ around 100 staff at the onset, rising to around 200 at peak operation.”
The EPR2 is a simplified version of the EPR design. EDF proposes to build three pairs of EPR2 reactors at the Penly, Gravelines and either Bugey or Tricastin NPPs.
According to the CGT union, EDF had already informed the union of its intention to halt the project following unsuccessful negotiations with Paprec, the project’s main partner, and the absence of industrial and economic support from the French government. The CGT, which supported this project from the beginning, considered the decision “incomprehensible, premature and inconceivable in view of the work done by the site to initiate its conversion”.
Researched and written by Judith Perera
