The territory of Loire-Atlantique, part of the region of Pays de la Loire, in France, will receive €48 million in EU grants from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to support a just climate transition.
- 25 October 2022
Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, said: “Loire-Atlantique has strong potential when it comes to renewable energy generation and the circular economy. The Just Transition Plan for Loire-Atlantique will support the government, citizens and businesses in the region, develop new economic activities and will help to bring down energy poverty among those living in social housing. This is how the European Green Deal can bring a fair, green, and healthy future to all.”
Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “With the adoption of the Territorial Just Transition Plan, Loire-Atlantique is now equipped with a dedicated new instrument to support its efforts to curb coal emissions. The energy transition is already happening, so we need to manage it pro-actively by helping the Region to attract new activities, including in the renewable energy sectors, create new jobs and support local workers.”
Loire-Atlantique hosts one of the last remaining coal-fired power plants in France, which is scheduled to be closed in 2026. The Fund will support the upskilling and reskilling of the 800 workers from the plant and related industries. Moreover, it will support the creation of new small and medium-sized businesses, the development of innovative renewable energy solutions and the energy renovation of social buildings.
The energy transition measures supported by the Fund intend to increase local employment. The JTF supports the territories that face specific challenges in the transition towards a climate-neutral economy.
Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs), developed in close consultation with local partners, identify the concerned territories, the strategies to face the challenges and the development needs and objectives to be met.
The TJTPs, when approved by the Commission, open the door to dedicated financing under the other two pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM): a just transition scheme under InvestEU and a Public Sector Loan Facility for Just Transition that combines Commission grants with European Investment Bank loans.
The JTM is a key tool to ensure that the transition towards a climate-neutral economy happens in a fair and cohesive way. It provides targeted support to help mobilise around €55 billion over the period 2021-2027 in the most affected regions.