Macron will convert France's remaining coal-fired power plants to biomass

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that France will convert two of its coal-fired power plants (with a total capacity of 1.8GW) to biomass by 2027.

In a television interview on Sept. 24, Macron discussed plans to meet France's climate goals over the next seven years.

France aims to reduce its emissions by 55 per cent by 2030, in line with European Union (EU) targets compared to a 1990 baseline. Speaking after a special government meeting, Macron said it was "achievable".

Macron's plans include reducing reliance on fossil fuels and increasing the use of electric vehicles.

Annual spending on green initiatives will increase by €7 billion, from €33 billion to €40 billion.

Part of the money will be used to convert the country's two remaining coal-fired power plants into biofuel facilities.

The two plants - the 1.2GW Cordemais and 600MW Emile Hutchet in St Avord - were initially scheduled to close last year, but were delayed by the Russia-Ukraine affair and the energy crisis triggered by the closure of nuclear reactors in France.

Greenpeace France issued a statement criticizing Macron's policies for not being ambitious enough.

Nicolas Nace, energy transition campaigner at Greenpeace France, said: "If he were really ambitious and a pioneer, Emmanuel Macron would also announce a date for phasing out fossil oil and gas."