Fos-sur-Mer industrial zone faces energy transition delays

Industrialists and local officials in Fos-sur-Mer, France’s second-largest CO2 emitting zone, are expressing growing frustration over the slow pace of the region's energy transition. The decarbonization of heavy industries, including steel and petrochemicals, is facing significant delays due to a critical shortage of electricity.

Electricity demand in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region is expected to double within the next decade to support hydrogen production, e-fuels, offshore wind, data centers, and electric mobility. To address this, RTE has proposed a new very high-voltage power line featuring 145 pylons between 40 and 60 meters tall. However, the project faces intense opposition from environmentalists, farmers, and residents who fear for protected natural spaces and tourism.

Jean-Luc Chauvin, president of the CCI Aix-Marseille Provence, has called on the state to take responsibility and expedite solutions, stating, “What interests me is not where it passes, but when it arrives!” Meanwhile, local business leaders warn that the lack of decisive action threatens both industrial competitiveness and France's climate commitments.