Decarbonization of Fos: Industrialists urge the State to accelerate the high-voltage power line

Industrialists, employers' organizations, and local elected officials are calling on the government to expedite the decisions necessary for the decarbonization and reindustrialization of the Fos-sur-Mer industrial and port area in the Bouches-du-Rhône department. At the heart of their concerns is the future very high-voltage power line linking Feuillane, in Fos-sur-Mer, to Jonquières-Saint-Vincent, in the Gard department.

This 400 kV infrastructure is intended to strengthen the electricity supply to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region and support the electrification of industrial activities. However, its administrative review is continuing amidst strong local opposition and uncertainty regarding the final timeline.

An electrical infrastructure deemed essential

For the business community, strengthening the grid is a prerequisite for the realization of the industrial projects announced in the Fos-Étang de Berre area. These needs encompass both the decarbonization of existing steel and petrochemical facilities and the development of hydrogen, synthetic fuels, floating wind power, data centers, and electric mobility.

According to the French electricity transmission network operator (RTE), regional electricity consumption could double over the next ten years. Fos-sur-Mer is a particularly sensitive area, as its industrial zone is considered the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases in France after Dunkirk.

"We are waiting for decisions, we are waiting for solutions. We must stop wasting time!", declared Jean-Luc Chauvin, president of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The economic official believes that the State must now guarantee a timetable allowing manufacturers to secure their investments. "What interests me is not where it goes, but when it arrives!" he insists.

Up to 15 billion euros in investments have been mentioned.

Business organizations fear that the approach of the presidential election will further delay decisions. Stéphane Benhamou, president of the Medef Sud (the regional branch of the French employers' federation), is calling on public authorities to make "courageous decisions" and refuses to allow projects to remain suspended pending the upcoming elections.

Alongside him, Jean-Christophe Amarantinis, president of the Union for Businesses of Bouches-du-Rhône (UPE-13), mentions investors ready to commit 15 billion euros. He warns that in the event of further delays, this funding could be diverted to other regions, with consequences for expected job creation.

This amount corresponds to an estimate provided by local economic representatives. At this stage, it does not constitute a definitively contracted investment volume for all the projects concerned.

A route that is still contested

The RTE project crosses the Costières de Nîmes, the edge of the Camargue, and the Crau plain. Farmers, environmental associations, local residents, and elected officials fear its impact on the landscape, agricultural land, biodiversity, and tourism. A new protest is planned for September 19th.

In its progress report published in July 2026, RTE indicates that the proposed route avoids urbanized areas and natural spaces deemed most sensitive. However, approximately 25 kilometers would be located in the northern agricultural part of the Camargue Regional Natural Park, outside the core area of ​​the biosphere reserve.

The operator also specifies that the line would be located within a strip approximately 100 meters wide. The precise location of the pylons will only be finalized once the detailed project plan is complete.

The declaration of public utility is still pending.

The least impact corridor was validated by the State in September 2024, following an initial phase of consultation initiated in June 2023. Detailed studies then enabled RTE to develop the route attached to its application for a declaration of public utility (DUP), the processing of which began in May 2026.

According to the prefecture, the project must undergo a public inquiry by the end of the year. The declaration of public utility, which would constitute official state approval, can only be issued after this procedure is completed.

The mayor of Fos-sur-Mer, Philippe Maurizot, does not question the principle of public participation but fears "indecision and the permanent lengthening of deadlines".

“Industrialists need infrastructure (railways, roads) to develop their business, and incidentally to attract new employees. This means urbanization, schools, hospitals, and all of that requires money… But the State doesn’t have a penny! So it waits for industrialists to invest, but they want to be sure they have the infrastructure. It’s a vicious cycle…”

emphasizes Philippe Maurizot, mayor of Fos-sur-Mer.

A comprehensive consultation separate from the high-voltage power line project

In parallel, the State launched an ongoing consultation in August 2026 dedicated to the transformation of the Fos-Berre-Provence area. This follows the comprehensive public debate organized from April 2 to July 13, 2025 under the auspices of the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP).

This new phase will address project progress, environmental compensation, air and water quality, mobility, and the infrastructure needed for the region. Thematic webinars are planned starting in the fall of 2026.

The Feuillane-Jonquières line project is not directly included in this overall consultation, as it is subject to its own public inquiry process. However, the local consultation focuses on a broader transformation: the partnership development project agreed upon between the State and local authorities encompasses actions representing €679,5 million by 2030.

Industrial announcements that are still fragile

The concerns of elected officials are also fueled by the abandonment of certain previously announced projects. In May 2026, Carbon abandoned its photovoltaic gigafactory project in Fos-sur-Mer, which was expected to represent an investment of €1,5 billion and more than 3.000 direct jobs. This abandonment, however, was not related to the electricity needs met by the future high-voltage power line.

Philippe Maurizot therefore calls for caution regarding announcements of billions of euros and thousands of jobs. The mayor points out that the industrial-port zone, which concentrates 17 Seveso sites and more than 80% of the overall activity of the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille, according to his statements, still does not benefit from direct motorway access.

For local stakeholders, the stakes go beyond simply building the power line. The arrival of new industries also implies investments in roads, rail, housing, schools, healthcare facilities, and other services necessary to accommodate new employees.