December 4 2023 - Through its subsidiary EDF Production Energie Insulaire (PEI), EDF Group has inaugurated its bioenergy power plant at Port-Est in Reunion island. The plant’s twelve engines previously running on oil, are now operating on liquid biomass made from rapeseed oil. Therefore, EDF has made its electricity production on the island fully renewable[1], contributing to the region’s ambition to achieve 100% of renewable energy by 2030.
The conversion is a first of a kind for a power plant of this size. Two years of technical preparation and six months of work made it possible. The plant covers on average 40% of the island’s electricity needs. EDF chose to maintain power generation during the conversion work - a real technical achievement. Such a challenge required rigorous planning, including the maintenance schedule, successive outages during conversion work and modifications to the plant’s central instrumentation and control system, essential for using the new fuel.
Liquid biomass is made from rapeseed oil and provides 100% green electricity, preventing the emissions of 500,000 tonnes of CO2 per year [2]. Use of this fuel will significantly improve air quality by eliminating sulphur emissions and reducing dust emissions while at the same time ensuring electricity generation by the plant (212 MW). The liquid biomass used is certified by the European RED (renewable emissions directive), which has been transposed into French and governs sustainability criteria and environmental requirements for the sector.
Luc Rémont, Chairman and CEO of EDF, declared “We are delighted with the successful conversion of the Port-Est power plant. It secures an important renewable power plant for Reunion Island’s electricity mix and supports the region's energy transition ambitions. Our power generating fleet in Reunion Island is now 100% renewable and is an integral part of our goal to make non-interconnected regions a reference in this field.”
@SERGE MARIZY – Centrale Bioénergie EDF PEI de Port-Est