High-voltage power line to Fos-sur-Mer: Validation of the contested corridor

The Prefect of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur has approved a route for the high-voltage power line linking Jonquières-Saint-Vincent to Fos-sur-Mer. This project, supported by the industry, faces strong opposition from local officials and environmental groups.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The Prefect of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, Christophe Mirmand, has approved a preliminary route for a 400,000-volt high-voltage line spanning 65 kilometers between Jonquières-Saint-Vincent (Gard) and Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône). This project aims to strengthen the electrical capacity of the industrial port area of Fos-sur-Mer, where electricity demand is expected to double in the coming years. This increase is mainly attributed to decarbonation efforts and the development of new industrial activities with a low carbon footprint.

The route approved by the authorities bypasses the towns of Beaucaire and Arles to the west, crossing part of the Camargue nature reserve. This corridor, described as a “low-impact” option by the Prefect, will still need to be refined before a final route is established. Prefect Mirmand has attached four specific requirements to this approval, including holding a comprehensive public debate on all regional industrial projects and a thorough assessment of future electricity needs. These conditions must be met before submitting the request for public utility declaration.

Ongoing local opposition and tensions

Although essential for the modernization of the Fos-sur-Mer site, the project faces strong opposition from local communities. Several groups, including “Stop THT 13/30,” accuse project promoters of ignoring environmental impacts on the Camargue and imposing a route deemed too intrusive. Isabelle Gex, a member of this collective, criticizes the consultation process as a “charade,” arguing that local concerns have not been adequately addressed.

Local officials largely share this distrust. Patrick de Carolis, mayor of Arles, sees this corridor as a “noose” for his territory, potentially hindering the region’s economic development. He declares his support for industrial decarbonation but not at the expense of preserving local heritage and agricultural activities.

Reactions from the agricultural sector

The agricultural sector, represented by the FNSEA union, also expresses strong reservations. Laurent Israelian, the union’s departmental secretary, regrets that the project crosses protected areas where farmers already face severe restrictions. He believes that RTE, the network manager, has disproportionate freedom of action, allowing it to enforce its choices without adequate compensation. This view is shared by many farmers concerned about the future of their activities in a region already subject to significant environmental constraints.

RTE, aware of these tensions, has promised to explore compensation measures, including financial ones, to mitigate the impact of the corridor on agricultural operations. Christophe Berassen, RTE’s Mediterranean Development and Engineering Director, has reaffirmed the operator’s commitment to finding a balance between industrial needs and local interests.

Timelines and perspectives

The project, still in the consultation phase, aims to start construction in 2027, subject to administrative approvals. According to the preliminary schedule, the high-voltage line should be operational by 2030. It will meet the growing needs of industries located in Fos-sur-Mer while facilitating the integration of new, more environmentally friendly energy infrastructure.

Opponents have already announced their intention to take the matter to court if authorities persist with this route. Prefect Mirmand, while remaining open to negotiations, believes the project is essential for the region’s energy future. The debate thus continues over whether this corridor can reconcile industrial development with territorial concerns.

More than 40 developers will gather in Livingstone from 26 to 28 November to turn Southern Africa’s energy commitments into bankable and interconnected projects.
Citepa projections confirm a marked slowdown in France's climate trajectory, with emissions reductions well below targets set in the national low-carbon strategy.
The United States has threatened economic sanctions against International Maritime Organization members who approve a global carbon tax on international shipping emissions.
Global progress on electricity access slowed in 2024, with only 11 million new connections, despite targeted efforts in parts of Africa and Asia.
A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.
The US Senate has confirmed two new commissioners to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, creating a Republican majority that could reshape the regulatory approach to national energy infrastructure.
The federal government launches a CAD3mn call for proposals to fund Indigenous participation in energy and infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
Opportunities are emerging for African countries to move from extraction to industrial manufacturing in energy technology value chains, as the 2025 G20 discussions highlight these issues.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity could more than double by 2030, driven by the rise of solar photovoltaics despite supply chain pressures and evolving policy frameworks.
Algeria plans to allocate $60 billion to energy projects by 2029, primarily targeting upstream oil and gas, while developing petrochemicals, renewables and unconventional resources.
China set a record for clean technology exports in August, driven by surging sales of electric vehicles and batteries, with more than half of the growth coming from non-OECD markets.
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.
The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.
Faced with growing threats to its infrastructure, Denmark raises its energy alert level in response to a series of unidentified drone flyovers and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The Prime Minister dismissed rumours of a moratorium on renewables, as the upcoming energy roadmap triggers tensions within the sector.
Kuwait plans to develop 14.05 GW of new power capacity by 2031 to meet growing demand and reduce scheduled outages, driven by extreme temperatures and maintenance delays.
The partnership with the World Bank-funded Pro Energia+ programme aims to expand electricity access in Mozambique by targeting rural communities through a results-based financing mechanism.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.