EDF, the French state energy company, has scrapped its biomass conversion project at the Cordemais thermal power plant, citing unmet “technical and economic conditions.” The project, launched in January 2022, aimed to replace coal with wood pellets for electricity generation but failed to fully achieve its goals. As a result, EDF plans to cease electricity production at the Cordemais plant by 2027.
In a shift from biomass, EDF subsidiary Framatome is planning to build a prefabrication plant on the retired Cordemais site to manufacture the main secondary piping system for its EPR2 nuclear reactors. The plant would initially employ around 100 staff, potentially rising to 200 at peak operations.
Framatome and EDF are leveraging their experience with the EPR reactor design to build the EPR2, which will be a simplified version. This project is part of France’s broader “nuclear renaissance” strategy, aiming to enhance the country’s nuclear power capacity. EDF has proposed constructing six new EPR2 reactors, with the first expected to begin construction by 2027, aligning with French President Emmanuel Macron’s goals.
The EPR2 reactors are planned for Penly, Gravelines, and either Bugey or Tricastin, reinforcing France’s commitment to expanding its nuclear energy infrastructure.