Universal Registration Document 2022

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 EDF IES and EDF PEI thermal power plants, in line with the PPE for various territories.

Shutdown of the oldest combustion turbines (TAC) and generators

Gradual 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. 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 IES 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 and Mafate in Réunion Island). Other actions are undertaken 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.) (see section 1.4.4.3 “Island Energy Systems”).

3.1.1.3.3 Greener heating networks

The EDF group, through its subsidiary Dalkia, manages over 330 district heating and cooling networks. It is France’s number one energy service provider. Dalkia has set itself the goal of achieving 65% renewable and recovered energy (R&RE) in its heating networks in France by 2026, and achieved 60.3% in 2021 ⁽¹⁾.

In particular, this commitment has led to development of the use of biomass, energy from waste, the recovery of fatal heat, and geothermal and oceanic thermal energy conversion. For more illustration, see section 3.1.4.3 “Developing efficient, low- energy, innovative energy services”.

Globally, coal accounted for 2.42% of 2022 heat production by Dalkia, which has committed to no longer use this fuel for its heating activities in France, in line with the provisions of the Multi-Year Energy Programme.

Use of renewable energies and energy efficiency services enabled Dalkia to reduce its customers’ greenhouse gas emissions and allowed 4.2 million tonnes of CO₂ e to be avoided in 2022 (see section 1.4.6.1.1 “Dalkia”).

3.1.1.3.4 Low-carbon thermal energy

3.1.1.3.4.1 Management of gas business

Gas activities account for a significant share of the EDF group’s GHG report, particularly through three activities: production of electricity from natural gas, production of heat from natural gas, and sale of natural gas to end customers.

Because natural gas emits approximately two times less CO₂ than coal, and enables the production of electricity that can be managed ahead of time, it can play a role in the energy transition of some countries, like Italy where it replaces coal.

The EDF group has defined a set of internal criteria in order to align its gas business with its climate-related commitments:

• All the EDF group’s gas activities fit into the carbon trajectories (covering both direct and indirect emissions) set for each of the Group’s entities in line with the Group’s 2030 goals. All development projects must demonstrate a contribution to the energy transition of the relevant regions and their business plan must ensure compliance with the Group’s 2050 carbon neutral target.
• No development of new gas projects (Combined Cycle Gas CCG), unless the project contributes to reducing the carbon intensity of the country’s electrical system or further secures its supply. When technically and economically feasible, the project uses solutions enabling reduction of its direct emissions, such as green gas, hydrogen or CO₂ capture and storage (see section “The EDF group’s low-carbon thermal energy project” below).
• In its capacity as gas supplier, the EDF group helps its customers to shift towards more restrained energy use and achieve energy efficiency and lower emissions through its offers, expertise, and specialised subsidiaries. it develops and encourages alternative solutions to fossil fuels whenever available (low- carbon electricity, heat pumps, renewable gas, renewable heat etc.).
• The EDF group supports the development of the biogas sector whenever a project’s business model is viable in the long term.
• Finally, the EDF group is constantly working to optimise the energy and environmental performance of its fossil fuel-fired fleet in order to reduce its CO₂ emissions, as well as to provide more services to the electricity system.

3.1.1.3.4.2 The EDF group’s low-carbon thermal energy project

In line with the EDF group’s raison d’être and its commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050, and in order to prepare the EDF group’s ability to provide controllable, low-carbon production resources for various European energy systems, a Strategic Project for “low-carbon thermal energy” spanning the entire Group has been launched, coordinated by the Thermal Expertise and Multi-Sector Industrial Support Division (Division thermique expertise et appui industriel multi-métiers, DTEAM).

Its goal is to identify the various decarbonation measures and techniques used for thermal generation resources (combined-cycle, combustion turbines, generators) currently using natural gas and fuel oil (fossil fuels) for which the construction of new low-carbon thermal generation resources in response to grid operators’ calls for tenders or capacity auctions can be envisaged.

The following far-reaching decarbonation solutions have been identified as being mature in the short to medium term:

• upstream: use of “low-carbon” fuel (biogas, bioliquids, hydrogen, synthetic fuels);
• downstream: CO₂ capture and storage (CCS), capture and use of part of the CO₂ emitted (CCU), in particular for the manufacture of synthetic fuels.

At the same time, carbon sink solutions are being studied to help offset residual emissions and thus achieve carbon neutrality goals (see section 3.1.1.6 “Carbon offsetting solutions”).

3.1.1.3.5 Reduction of SF₆ emissions

Fluorinated gases such as sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), used as refrigerating fluids, are powerful greenhouse gases. Their emissions in 2022 were estimated for the entire EDF group at a total of 133ktonnes of CO₂ e, i.e. approximately 0.5% of EDF group direct emissions (Scope  1). Emissions are produced by leaks during both the production process and lifecycle. Wherever technologically and economically possible, the EDF group uses alternative technologies to SF₆. All EDF group business lines are working to cut the carbon impact of HFCs wherever technologically possible.

Existing nuclear fleet

Based on a proactive policy, EDF managed to reduce its SF₆ emissions by 86% between 2008 and 2021 and since 2019 has set up a plan of specific actions designed to restore all its facilities to their initial leakage rate, i.e. 1% per year. Investments by EDF over the past three years have achieved a 45% reduction in the nuclear fleet’s SF₆ emissions. EDF is rolling out a range of technological innovations to maintain control of its emissions in the long term, including alternative coatings to help protect against corrosion and innovative SF₆ recovery and leak plugging solutions. EDF’s procedure in this respect forms part of an As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) policy that is appropriate in view of unit safety issues and network security. The rate for the overall fleet ⁽²⁾ was 1.45% in 2022 compared to 1.57% in 2021 and 1.83% in 2020.