Plans for industrial infrastructure are threatening one of France’s oldest nature reserves in southern France and must be revised, 15 environmental groups have demanded in a joint appeal to President Emmanuel Macron.
The Parc naturel régional de Camargue is a protected wetland environment and France’s only nesting site for flamingos, its famous emblem. It is also a major migration corridor, with an estimated 70-90 million birds passing through each spring and up to 120 million in autumn.
The environmental appeal came just weeks after the energy ministry launched a process to examine a declaration of public utility for a controversial 65km, 400kV high-voltage power line, which could run through part of the reserve.
Government planners say the new power lines are essential for the future development of the Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône) oil refinery and industrial zone near Marseille. They argue the scheme will enable a switch from fossil fuel-generated electricity to low-carbon nuclear power once the line is operational.
Environmental groups note that power lines are a known cause of death among large wading birds, including species found in the Camargue.
The project forms part of France’s wider strategy to electrify the economy, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions while maintaining economic growth.
Shortly before the joint appeal was issued, President Macron said he wanted the scheme to be completed by 2029.
The project would involve the construction of 180 large pylons, ranging from 50 to 90 metres in height, stretching between a major electricity substation at Jonquières-Saint-Vincent (Gard) and the Fos-sur-Mer refinery. The scheme is expected to cost taxpayers €300million.
There was no immediate response from President Macron to the appeal.
Opposition
If the project is declared to be in the public interest, compulsory purchase procedures could follow.
Any move to force land acquisitions is likely to further inflame opposition from a coalition of farmers, environmental groups, elected representatives and local economic development agencies that emerged after the pylon route was unveiled.
“The 2029 date seems very close, given the level of local opposition,” said Jean Jalbert, director of the Tour du Valat research institute in the Camargue, which studies wetland environments.
An RTE pylon in Charente Maritime, similar to those proposed for CamargueBrian McCulloch
The environmental organisations behind the appeal were coordinated by the French branch of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“We want to show the government and the public that alternatives exist and there is no need to go charging ahead with this project, which will do great harm to a special area, and which all the democratic consultations with local people have shown they do not want,” said Denis Berlemont, spokesman for Association Ramsar France, a group working to preserve wetlands.
Among the international organisations to sign the letter were WWF France and MAB France, linked to Unesco’s biosphere programme.
The Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) and the Société Nationale de Protection de la Nature (SNPN), two of France’s oldest conservation organisations, also backed the appeal.
The organisations argue that the electricity pylons are only one of several major developments threatening the Camargue. Concerns have also been raised about proposed hydrogen pipelines, transport projects and offshore wind farms near the area.
During public consultations last year, experts proposed alternative ways of increasing electricity capacity at the Fos-sur-Mer site, including the installation of an underground cable.
They argued that such a solution could prove more cost-effective over the long term because of lower maintenance requirements.
Increased costs
The National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP), which was tasked with examining the project, recommended alternatives in 2025, but its proposals were not adopted by the energy ministry.
RTE, the state-owned operator of France’s high-voltage electricity network, says partially burying the line over a 6km stretch to avoid the most environmentally sensitive areas would increase the cost from €300million to €460million and delay completion until 2031.
Placing the entire line underground would raise the bill to €3.6billion and postpone delivery until 2035.
In April, RTE announced details of a €5billion loan from the state-backed Banque des Territoires to help finance its investment programme.
Part of the funding for the loan comes from deposits held in regulated French savings accounts, including the Livret A, LDDS and LEP schemes.
Government plans for Fos-sur-Mer include developing the area as a major green energy hub, centred on a hydrogen production plant that would require large amounts of electricity.
Ministers say the increase in power capacity could unlock €20billion in investment and create up to 10,000 jobs.
However, one of the flagship projects proposed for the site – a solar-panel gigafactory – was abandoned in May after the French company backing it was unable to secure conditions needed to proceed with the investment.
Meanwhile, Italian steelmaker Marcegaglia has confirmed plans for a new low-carbon steel production facility at Fos-sur-Mer, using electric arc furnace technology rather than traditional blast furnaces.
The company highlighted France's abundant nuclear-generated electricity as an attraction of the site.
