EDF wins the case for its power plant in French Guiana

EDF plans to replace the Dégrad-des-Cannes heavy fuel oil power plant, which is due to reach the end of its service life in 2023. While all the local players want to replace the old plant, they don’t necessarily agree on the next project.

EDF suffers obstructions on the replacement of its oil-fired power plant

To meet demand, EDF is planning to build a power plant on the Larivot site. It’s a 500 million euro investment for a 111 MW plant. This capacity covers a quarter of French Guiana’s needs.

France Nature Environnement and Guyane Nature Environnement are opposed to the plant’s oil-fired operation, and have filed successive appeals with the Guyanese administrative authorities. They criticize EDF for an investment that runs counter to France’s emission reduction targets. In their view, since EDF is 80% state-owned, it cannot ignore ecological considerations.

EDF upheld in the face of appeals from environmental groups

Finally, after a legal battle, the Conseil d’Etat validated EDF’s position. The administrative authority asserts that no text obliges a prefect to take environmental objectives into account when distributing a building permit.

It also relies on reports from the independent Commission de Régulation de l’Energie (CRE). CRE explains that EDF’s project is essential to meet the needs of the Guyanese people, and welcomes this decision.

However, before work can begin on the plant, the company must await a decision from the administrative court in French Guiana.

In an attempt to reach a compromise, EDF promises to invest 50 million euros in the environment. This proposal takes the form of a 10MW solar power plant built in parallel with the oil-fired power plant.