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France: new thermal power plant in Guyana

The construction of a thermal power plant at Larivot in French Guiana can now move forward after the validation of the environmental authorization by the administrative court of appeal of Bordeaux. The project carried out by EDF-PEI has attracted a lot of criticism from environmental associations, but the subsidiary of the energy company remains determined to strengthen the supply of electricity to French Guiana while aiming for a 100% RE electricity mix by 2030.

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The administrative court of appeal of Bordeaux put an end to a long battle by validating on Tuesday the environmental authorization granted by the State for the construction of a thermal power plant in Larivot, near Cayenne, in French Guyana. This project carried by EDF-PEI has attracted a lot of criticism from environmental associations, which have described the project as costly, useless and dangerous for the environment.

 

An environmental permit will be issued in October 2020

In October 2020, the environmental authorization for the construction of the plant was issued by the Prefect of French Guiana to strengthen the electricity supply of this ultra-marine territory. The plant will run on liquid biofuels, which requires the importation of large quantities of crop oil and the construction of a 14-kilometer pipeline.

 

Environmental authorization cancelled in April 2022

Despite the criticism, the environmental authorization was cancelled in April 2022 by the administrative court of Cayenne. However, the administrative court of appeal of Bordeaux overturned this judgment and validated the analysis of the prefect of Guyana, considering that there was no satisfactory alternative solution.

The court’s decision allows EDF-PEI to resume construction of the plant at the end of the rainy season. The subsidiary of the energy company is firmly positioned in the energy transition of French Guiana and aims at a 100% RE (renewable energy) electricity mix by 2030.

 

A battle not over for opponents

However, opponents of the project are not giving up and a new hearing is expected to take place. The battle for the Larivot thermal power plant in French Guiana continues, but the decision of the administrative court of appeal in Bordeaux allows EDF-PEI to continue its project.

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