GazelEnergie (part of the Czech energy group EPH) is considering converting the Émile Huchet power plant (647 MW), located in Moselle department, from coal to gas, instead of biomass as previously announced. According to GazelEnergie, the cost of converting the site to biomass was estimated at €100m, while the switch to gas would cost €110m. However, the cost is still significantly less than building a new power plant.
The gas conversion will allow the power plant to produce electricity more efficiently during peak demand hours (300 to 700 hours per year), replacing the current coal-based system, which will still be used during the upcoming winter. Gas connections already exist close to the site, where TotalEnergies is operating a two-units 880 MW gas-fired plant commissioned in 2010.
Émile Huchet is one of only two remaining coal-powered plant in France. The other, located in Cordemais (1,260 MW), was also slated to switch to biomass energy by 2027. However, in a recent announcement, EDF revealed that it would be abandoning the biomass conversion project for Cordemais.
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