The Group also contributes to local development through employment, taxes, and procurement, as well as via a large number of initiatives promoting a local dynamic, together with its action to facilitate access to energy in developing countries.
At local level, the Group rolls out a great many initiatives to nurture the economic, social, and human environment:
| Meuse and Haute Marne departments |
As part of its socioeconomic support for the site where Cigéo is to be located, in Meuse and Haute-Marne, energy transition and energy demand management initiatives have continued. These include the 1000th Low Energy Renovation (Rénovation basse consommation, RBC) project in the space of 10 years; 500 contractors trained in thermal renovation at Ecurey over a period of 4 years; and the successful launch of the High-Performance Energy Renovation Track (Parcours rénovation énergétique performante, PREP) in liaison with IZI by EDF and Saint Dizier and Bar le Duc councils, the purpose of which is to consolidate home renovations. |
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| Hinkley Point C |
The Hinkley Point C project is being accompanied by investment worth £3.5 billion in south-west England and £2 billion in the north of England, creating 8,000 jobs in the 1,300 regional companies in the supply chain. £40 million has been invested in skills development: for example, a centre of excellence for industrial welding has been opened to support local training of employees, together with a team of advisers to assist in finding jobs. The Hinkley Point C “Inspire Education” programme provides careers development support for young people. |
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For some 20 years now, EDF group has been supporting development in Laos as part of an ambitious social and environmental assistance programme. This has been implemented jointly by the government of Laos and Nam Theun 2 Power Company (NTPC), a company created by EDF, EGCO and Lao Holding State Enterprise responsible for the design, construction, and operation of the Nam Theun 2 hydropower complex.
| Support over and above World Bank standards |
Developed in consultation with local inhabitants and implemented by the government of Laos with the support of NTPC, the entire social and environmental programme complies with, and indeed exceeds, standards set by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. |
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| Significant results |
Houses have been built for all the affected households, alongside 2 dispensaries and 32 schools. Following a programme to support economic activity, Nakai plateau has undergone economic development; 97% of displaced households have achieved the revenue levels established by the programme. The median levels of consumption in the area are three times higher than the poverty threshold determined by the government. The entire population now has access to healthcare and education. 37% of those on village Committees are women. |
| New goals for 2035 |
New goals have been set for 2035: maintaining sustainable means of subsistence around the reservoir; preserving world heritage biodiversity; maximising renewable production potential, (including top-up production through the use of floating solar panels); optimisation of the use of downstream water |
In Cameroon, across the 7 districts within the Project’s area of influence, the Nachtigal Hydro Power Company (NHPC) is implementing a local economic development action plan to support micro-infrastructures and local development, as well as funding revenue-generating business projects at local level.
Access to electricity is a vector for progress and development, including in the areas of health, education and security. The global electrification rate has increased steadily since 2010 but more than 800 million people still have no access to electricity, with around one half of them being located in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Most major EDF projects, especially those in Africa and Asia, are designed to improve access to electricity on a local, regional and national scale, such the Nachtigal hydropower dam project in Cameroon.
Besides its major projects, EDF intends to developing new business models that combine its traditional know-how with technological and economic innovation. These measures are supplemented by Group sponsorship.
EDF is developing off-grid projects designed to provide residential customers and very small enterprises, mainly in Africa, with electrical services, including ZECI in Ivory Coast or Bboxx in Togo (see section 1.4.5.3.9 “Off-grid energy”).
The EDF group also supports energy access across the globe in the form of sponsorship, through its Foundation.
| EDF Foundation |
The EDF Foundation supported in 2021 41 projects run by non-profits (in an amount of €1.93 million) for which electricity aids in access to water, health, education and development, by providing them with a combination of funding and technical expertise from the Group’s employees. |
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| Electricians Without Borders |
Since 1986, Electricians Without Borders (EWB), of which EDF and Enedis are partners, has been striving to overcome unequal access to electricity and water worldwide. |
