Joint EDF-ETAT-COM Press Conference: Energy update in Saint-Martin

The objective of this exchange was to highlight the malfunctions of the power plant since September 2024 (failure of an engine in unit 1 and weakening of the engines in unit 2) and the crisis management that has continued since then, in the face of energy consumption increasing by 7% in recent months.

This crisis situation will continue, with the renovation of equipment requiring relatively long delays and unavoidable power cuts, despite the temporary installation of backup generators.

The solutions lie in the signing of the Multi-Year Energy Program (PPE), which has been blocked for several months by government services in Paris. The PPE includes the construction of a new power plant promoting sustainable energy production and the maintenance of tariff equalization with mainland France.

In the meantime, joint work is being carried out by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and EDF, with the support of the prefect, to deploy intermediate solutions capable of overcoming the difficulties of electricity production.

The issue of overconsumption and energy savings was also discussed, with users having to adopt a virtuous long-term approach and ensure they equip themselves with less energy-intensive equipment in order to consume less. EDF's Agir Plus program supports this approach.

First Vice-President Alain Richardson recalled that this mandate had taken on the Energy competence assigned to the Collectivité in 2012, with the aim of modernizing its equipment and enabling Saint-Martin to implement public policies adapted to needs and promote renewable energies.

This is the whole issue of the PPE prepared by the Collectivité of Saint-Martin which is now waiting to be signed by the State.

For his part, President Louis Mussington is currently in Paris, where he met on Tuesday, June 10, with the director of the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), Emmanuelle Wargon, on issues related to energy production in Saint-Martin and the need to sign the PPE.