2024-08-31 05:47:42
A new hydroelectric development is to be built between Saint-Romain-de-Jalionas, in Isère, and Loytetes, in Ain.
The state has put an end to a dam project in one of the last wild regions of the Rhône, announced Friday the Compagnie nationale du Rhône (CNR) which is carrying out the highest development project. “The State announced on August 29 its decision not to continue the project to build a new hydroelectric development on the Rhône, between Saint-Romain-de-Jalionas (Isère) and Loytetes (Ain)”Write the CNR is published.
CNR added “note this decision” open, “in accordance with your agreement, a new level of dialogue with the State to identify other projects linked to the river”. According to the Directorate General for Energy and Climate (DGEC), “first cause” of this decision “is that the studies raise technical risks on the Bugey EPR2 project, which may lead to an increase in costs and schedule delays for this project, as well as potential issues on the safety of the company’s work the nuclear power of existing electricity generation”.
“Furthermore, the sponsors’ evaluation of the previous consultation showed objections to the dam project, especially in connection to environmental aspects”is added in the written text addressed to the AFP.
“One Hope”
Them “The Rhonergia Project”the idea of which goes back to 1935 and which is the subject of the first project written in 1980, which intends to build a dam in 2033 about forty kilometers upstream of Lyon. For an estimated budget of 330 million euros, the CNR planned an industrial dam with a 6.8 meter drop, a 22 kilometer long reservoir to slow down the flow of the river and a 4 kilometer dike.
The CNR, which already oversees 19 hydroelectric dams on the Rhône, estimates that “Rhonergia” was the last project of this nature possible in France. This infrastructure will have produced 140 GW/h per year, enough to cover the annual electricity needs of 60,000 inhabitants. For CNR, this project will be involved “The fight against climate change”strengthening France’s energy independence and reducing electricity prices.
But its opponents, united in a coalition that made itself heard during a public consultation on the project this winter, believe the financial and environmental cost of the dam is “It’s very important compared to carbon-free energy” that you can provide. Jérôme Grausi, mayor without a label of Saint-Romain-de-Jalionas (Isère), for his part stands against “Artist” of its region, one of the less developed regions of the Rhône.
“Relief”
Friday he said to himself “Very happy” of the State’s decision. “It is a relief for the protection of nature, our environment and our identity”he told AFP, referring to the Gallo-Roman that was on the site. “The mobilization against this project is unprecedented” welcomes Maxime Meyer, regional lawyer for Ain and president of the Ecologists group in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in a press release.
“This now represents hope for all the people who fight against the big, useless and projects in our country”he insisted. “Now we are careful”concluded Mr. Grausi, who mentioned other local projects, starting with two new EPR2 nuclear reactors that President Emmanuel Macron announced in June that he wants to see built in the nearby Bugey power station.
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