The 97MW Romanche-Gavet hydroelectric plant has been commissioned by EDF following a ten-year construction period.
The plant was inaugurated on 9 October by Jean-Bernard Lévy, EDF Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in an event attended by Joël Giraud, State Secretary in charge of rural development reporting to the Minister for Regional Cohesion and Relationships with Regional Authorities, as well as by elected representatives and delegates from the local and regional public authorities.
Comprising a new dam and an underground power plant, Romanche-Gavet is replacing six old plants and five old dams. The plant can increase power output by 40% along the same stretch of La Romanche river.
EDF Group invested €400 million in the construction project, with 94% of contracts awarded to French companies, 28% of which are located in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region. Seventy-five percent of the structure was funded by green bonds, thereby supporting the energy transition. During the busiest periods, 306 people were working on the project at the same time. In addition, 74 people were given the opportunity to enter the job market.
About 30 engineers and technicians from EDF’s hydro-engineering centre (CIH) worked on the project design and engineering phases, followed by project oversight. The Romanche-Gavet facility is operated and maintained by a team of approximately twenty EDF Hydro Alpes technicians and engineers.
