The Émile Huchet thermal power plant, located in Saint-Avold in the Moselle department, is set to undergo a conversion to gas and biogas, following legislation adopted in the National Assembly last week. The initiative was welcomed on-site on 14 April by Minister for Industry Marc Ferracci, who highlighted the significance of the project in safeguarding 500 direct and indirect jobs. Operator GazelEnergie, which manages the facility, confirmed that the transformation will require an investment of approximately EUR100mn, fully self-financed.
An industrial project within a legal framework
The plant’s conversion will prevent its planned closure in 2027, initially scheduled as part of France’s coal phase-out policy. While a biomass-based alternative had been considered, it was ultimately abandoned in favour of a gas solution incorporating a share of biogas. The new legislation provides a clear legal structure for the initiative, within a broader context of enhanced energy security. The other facility affected by the same policy, the Cordemais plant operated by Électricité de France (EDF), could also benefit from a similar plan.
Regulatory framework and role in network flexibility
According to Frédéric Faroche, President of GazelEnergie, the plant will play a vital role in ensuring flexibility within the French and European electricity grid in the coming years. The project still requires several administrative approvals, including a government decree enacting the law, and validation from the European Commission to incorporate the site into the capacity mechanism — a framework designed to ensure electricity supply during periods of peak demand.
Political consensus and local engagement
The initiative has garnered widespread political support at both local and national levels. Alexandre Loubet, Member of Parliament for the Rassemblement National in Moselle, called the decision “good news for local employment” on the X platform, citing a “three-year-long effort.” Former MP Charlotte Leduc also described the law as an “important victory.” Employment contracts, initially extended only until 31 August, can now be maintained beyond that date.
Industrial prospects and regulatory uncertainty
According to union representatives, several steps remain before the project can be implemented. Sylvain Krebs, a CFE-CGC union delegate at the site, emphasised the need for forthcoming approvals at both national and European levels. Minister Marc Ferracci acknowledged that the plan does not mark a full departure from fossil fuels, while presenting it as a step forward in reducing carbon dioxide emissions compared with coal.
