en.Wedoany.com Reported - The French Ministry of Energy has granted Engie Energy Services (Engie) an exclusive permit for geothermal exploration in the Cafres-Palmistes highlands of Réunion Island, aimed at assessing the region's exploitable potential. This geothermal exploration permit covers an area of 55 square kilometers, including the volcanic zones of Plaine des Cafres and Plaine-des-Palmistes. According to Engie's application, the company plans to build a power plant with an installed capacity exceeding 15 MWe at this site. However, authorities have explicitly stated that the exploration permit does not equate to authorization for deep drilling or power plant construction.

The process for Engie to obtain this geothermal exploration permit has been lengthy, with the initial application dating back to 2021. After supplementary materials were submitted in 2024, the project entered the review stage by the Environmental Authority, where potential environmental impacts were the focus of significant inquiries. Relevant departments have recommended avoiding ecologically sensitive areas and taking measures to protect drinking water resources. This geothermal exploration permit is of great significance for Réunion Island, which currently still relies on imported fossil fuels, and geothermal energy is seen as an important pathway to promote energy independence. Previously, another French energy company, Albion, obtained a five-year geothermal exploration permit for the Piton des Neiges site on Réunion Island.

This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com