EDF to invest EUR 320 million in new generation capacity by 2008
French incumbent EDF announced in a company statement on Thursday it plans to invest around EUR 320 million in 3,100 MW of new generation capacity by developing and improving its fossil-fuelled power stations.
During a board meeting on Wednesday, EDF’s c.e.o. Pierre Gadonneix confirmed the building of two 500 MW combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) on the outskirts of Paris. Additionally, four oil-fuelled units will be demothballed — one at Porcheville, west of the capital, another at Cordemais, west of France and the last at Aramon in the southeast.
“These means of production reinforce EDF’s capacity to meet peak demand needs of its clients and will be solicited for a limited number of hours a day,” Gadonneix said in a statement. Despite thermal plants in France accounting for only 3 to 5 % of EDF’s power output, they are frequently used in the case of high Peakload demand, as they are easy to turn on and off.
EDF has come under fire in recent months over its reluctance to invest in new generation capacity. Indeed, French gird operator RTE as well as leading syndicates have warned EDF that national demand is currently growing faster than the generation sector.
The board also approved plans to definitely shut seven coal-fired stations — among the oldest of EDF’s power plants. “These plants have been shut down over the last couple of years and the decision has now been taken to programme their dismantling,” read the statement. KT
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