| Commitment |
|
In 2019, the EDF group set itself the goal to stop coal-fired power generation by 2030 in all geographical areas. |
| Unit closure schedule | |
|---|---|
|
Cottam (4 units, 2,000MWe, United Kingdom) |
September 2019 |
|
Le Havre (580MWe, France) |
April 2021 |
|
West Burton A (units 3 and 4, 1,000MWe, United Kingdom) |
September 2021 |
|
West Burton A (units 1 and 2, 1,000MWe, United Kingdom) |
September 2022 |
| Results of the coal phase-out policy | |
|
Number of coal-fired carbon units shut down since 1995 |
33 |
|
Number of heavy fuel oil units shut down since 1995 |
15 |
|
Coal-based electricity production capacity withdrawn since 1995 (GWe) |
10.8 |
|
Heavy fuel oil-based electricity production capacity withdrawn since 1995 (GWe) |
6.8 |
|
Estimated reduction in annual emissions (MtCO2e) * |
40 |
|
Coal-based electricity and heat production capacity, 2021 (GWe) |
2.9 |
|
Coal-based electricity and heat production capacity, 2022 (GWe) |
1.9 |
|
Ratio of coal-based electricity and heat production to total production, 2021 (%) |
0.8 |
* Conservative estimate, assuming an average load factor of 40% for coal-fired power plants and 10% for heavy fuel oil-fired power plants.
| Details | 40Mt reduction in CO2e emissions |
This coal (and oil) phase-out policy resulted in an estimated reduction of the European electrical sector’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40MtCO2e. |
|---|---|---|
| Very limited operation |
In 2020, coal-fired heat and electricity generation accounted for 0.8% of the EDF group’s total in 2021 output. These production assets are actually used only during “peak” periods. As a result, their operation and subsequent emissions are very limited. |
|
| Pending closures of coal-fired units operated by EDF |
As of September 2022, the EDF group will be operating only two coal-fired units in Europe, located at the Cordemais power plant in the Loire-Atlantique region. Pursuant to the French Energy and Climate Act of 2019, operation of these two units will be limited from 1 January 2022 onwards by an annual emissions cap; operation is to halt by no later than the end of 2026, depending on transmission network operator RTE’s requirements. See section 1.4.1.2.2 “Issues relating to thermal generation”. |
|
| Support during closures |
All of these closures are accompanied by employee redeployment measures and initiatives within the Group to develop new local economic activities. See section 3.4.3.3.1 “Power plant closures: greater solidarity”. |
Corsica and the French overseas territories, as Non-Interconnected Zones (NIZ) in terms of the mainland power grid, are covered by specific Multi-Year Energy Programme (PPE), which set ambitious low-carbon and energy independence goals for them (energy independence of overseas territories by 2030 and Corsica by 2050).
Fossil fuel-fired facilities, mainly oil or diesel generators and combustion turbines (CT), have historically played a major role in these zones. They can handle highly-seasonal electricity use, guarantee a secure supply and mitigate intermittent renewable energy input into electrical systems that cannot be switched to imports in case of peak demand or production issues.
To achieve low-carbon electrical production in the Non-Interconnected Zones (NIZ), the EDF group has put the following actions in place:
| Replacement of fuel oil |
Gradual replacement of fuel oil with liquid biomass between 2023 and 2028 in existing EDF SEI and EDF PEI engine power plants, in line with the PPE for various territories. |
|---|---|
| Shutdown of the oldest combustion turbines (TAC) and generators |
Shutdown of the oldest oil-fired combustion turbines (TAC) and generators as and when new generation resources with lower emissions become available. As a result, the future Larivot plant in Guyana designed by EDF PEI will be powered with liquid biomass, replacing the Dégrad-des-Cannes fuel plant, which is set for shutdown by the end of 2023 (1). Operation of the new power plant with liquid biomass was included in the French Guiana PPE in August 2021. |
| Energy management systems |
Voluntary implementation of an energy management system (ISO 50001 certification) at 7 of the 8 most important SEI fossil fuel-fired generation sites and output optimisation work and energy efficiency initiatives on EDF PEI facilities. |
| 100% renewable projects |
The development of 100% renewable energy projects for isolated microgrids (e.g. in French Guiana’s interior municipalities). |
Section 1.4.4.3 “Island Energy Systems” provides a fuller description of the actions taken by EDF in the islands in question, such as measures to manage energy (e.g. solar water heaters), plans to increase the production capacity of active hydroelectric facilities, development of networks compatible with the integration of renewable energy (e.g. batteries, synchronous condensers, Energy Management Systems, etc.).
(1) In French Order no. 2100957 of 27 July 2021, the urgent applications judge of the French Guiana administrative tribunal suspended execution of the Order of 22 October 2020 granting the environmental authorisation for operation of the EDF-PEI power plant. These legal proceedings are ongoing
