Photowatt, photovoltaic specialist and EDF subsidiary, arouses concern in Isère

Concern has been growing for a few weeks in Bourgoin-Jallieu (Isère) where EDF is looking for a "solution" for its subsidiary Photowatt, one of the last manufacturers of solar panels in Europe, largely in deficit, union and municipal sources indicated on Tuesday.

"If we give up now, that is the end of photovoltaic knowledge in France," Emilie Brechbuhl, engineer and CFE-CGC union representative, told AFP, understanding that EDF wants to "disengage" from Photowatt and its 215 employees.

Bought by EDF in 2012 and symbol of local production for renewable energies, Photowatt has not reached equilibrium since. A reorganization led by EDF in 2018 led the company to maintain the production of silicon wafers in France only, the assembly of the panels being relocated to China.

In November, the questioning of a carbon emission criterion in the choice of solar panels in France alerted employees.

"We scratched, and we realized that EDF wanted to disengage" from Photowatt, continued Ms. Brechbuhl, regretting that the electrician did not choose the French producer for a recent tender for solar panels.

EDF "is looking for the best solution for Photowatt and its employees", for its part assured the company, "this is what we are working on today" via in particular "industrial partnerships". It claims to have made 360 million euros of investment since the takeover in 2012.

For its part, the Ministry of the Economy believes that the company's activity is not EDF's core business, and confirms that it favors the scenario of a recovery to ensure the future of the site. .

Mayor LR of Bourgoin-Jallieu Vincent Chriqui and the Social and Economic Committee (CSE) of Photowatt confirm that discussions "are underway" between EDF and ECM Technologies, a Grenoble-based industrial furnace company, for a possible takeover.

A prospect which is not desired by many employees, preferring the patronage of EDF.

"Photowatt needs a large group with a financial base that can support losses until balance," Barbara Bazer-Bachi, engineer elected to the CSE, told AFP, saying that with significant investments , the business could be profitable.

"We must continue to invest in the production apparatus", pleaded in this direction Mr. Chriqui, who adds that discussions were also underway with the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

On Saturday, local left-wing elected officials gathered in front of the company's premises to support employees.

"With the Covid, we talked about reindustrializing Europe, energy transition, climate law ... And there, we exist, and for ten years, we have not put the necessary means for Photowatt?" Ms. Bazer-Bachi questioned again.