France Restarts Key Coal Plant Amid COP29 Climate Talks

The Saint-Avold coal plant resumes operations to meet energy demands during a cold snap, raising concerns over France's fossil fuel dependency.

The Saint-Avold coal plant in Moselle, one of France's two coal-fired power stations, has been reactivated due to increased electricity demand as temperatures drop.
The restart coincides with the COP29 climate conference, highlighting the ongoing challenges of transitioning away from fossil fuels like coal, which is a major source of CO2 emissions.
Despite plans to phase out coal by 2027, the plant remains operational to ensure energy security, particularly during winter months when energy systems are strained.
Plans for the plant's conversion to biomass or gas are under discussion, but the French government has expressed reservations about the feasibility and environmental impact of these alternatives.
Workers at the plant have expressed concerns about potential job losses if the site closes without a clear conversion strategy, prompting preemptive strike warnings.