In France, this is Bruno Le Maire’s first trip to the North since he regained his post in Bercy. This Monday, January 15, the Minister of the Economy is visiting the site of the Gravelines nuclear power plant. Then, he signed a contract with ArcelorMittal; the steel giant plans to invest 1.8 billion euros in the decarbonization of its factory in Dunkirk.
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Dunkirk and its industrial sites are the symbolic city of the renewal and energy independence desired by the French President, Emmanuel Macron. If nuclear power has become a priority for the Head of State and his executive, the decarbonization of the industry is just as important.
State aid
As for the ArcelorMittal factory, where the steel group intends to invest 1.8 billion euros, the State will provide aid, validated by the European Union (EU), of up to 850 million euros. And this, depending on the investments actually made, specifies Bercy; ArcelorMittal has not yet completely validated its work schedule.
Reduce site emissions
This money will make it possible to build two electric furnaces as well as an iron reduction unit, the first step in the production of carbon-free steel. These installations run on electricity or gas, and eventually on hydrogen. This project should thus make it possible to reduce site emissions of 4.4 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Or nearly 6% of the industrial sector in France.
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