France has announced plans to convert its two coal-fired power plants into biomass facilities by 2027, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. In a televised interview on 24 September, Macron stated that the government will increase its annual spending for the green transition to €40bn ($42.5bn) in 2024, up from €33bn this year. Part of this funding will be allocated to support the conversion of France’s last two coal-fired plants into biomass.
“We are going to invest massively, and indeed in all sectors. The first thing is to exit coal — it is key,” Macron emphasized during the interview.
The conversion of the coal-fired power plants is part of France’s efforts to transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. Biomass, which involves using organic materials such as wood pellets or agricultural waste to generate electricity, is considered a renewable energy source that can help reduce carbon emissions.
France has already made significant progress in phasing out coal. The country closed its four other coal-fired plants between 2016 and 2020, reducing its coal-fired capacity from 3.9GW to 1.8GW. The remaining two plants, located in Cordemais and Saint-Avold, will now be converted to biomass, further reducing France’s reliance on coal.
The conversion process will involve retrofitting the existing coal-fired plants to accommodate biomass fuel. This will require significant modifications to the plants’ infrastructure, including the installation of new boilers and fuel storage systems. The conversion is expected to take several years and will require substantial investments.
Macron’s announcement reflects France’s commitment to combat climate change and transition to a greener economy. The country has set ambitious targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix. France aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and increase its renewable energy capacity to 33% by 2030.
The conversion of the coal-fired plants aligns with the European Union’s efforts to phase out coal and promote renewable energy. The EU has set a target to become climate-neutral by 2050 and aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The conversion of coal plants to biomass is seen as a viable solution to reduce carbon emissions and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
However, the conversion of coal plants to biomass is not without its challenges. Critics argue that biomass can have negative environmental impacts, including deforestation and increased air pollution. They also question the sustainability and carbon neutrality of biomass, as it may still emit greenhouse gases when burned.
To address these concerns, Macron emphasized the need for strict sustainability criteria in the biomass sector. He stated that the biomass used in the converted plants would come from sustainable sources, such as forest residues and agricultural waste, rather than dedicated biomass crops. The government will also implement monitoring and certification systems to ensure the sustainability of biomass production and its compliance with environmental standards.
The conversion of France’s coal-fired plants to biomass is a significant step towards greener and more sustainable energy production. It demonstrates France’s commitment to phasing out coal and accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources. With increased investments in the green transition, France aims to lead the way in combating climate change and building a sustainable future.
