The French engine manufacturer Safran announced Thursday to choose France to set up a new carbon brake plant in Ain, an investment “of more than 450 million euros in the long term” determined, among other things, by access to affordable electricity.
“The energy that can represent up to 30% of the cost of manufacturing a carbon brake, the warranty for this new factory of secure access to decarbonized electricity at a stable and competitive long -term price has enabled this choice of implementation,” the group said in a press release.
Safran said, at the end of 2024, to hesitate to install this project in North America due to the cost of energy.
“A choice of sovereignty and reindustialization, decarbonation and future! Thank you to EDF: our clean and competitive electricity attracts world leaders. Industry is here!” reacted the French president Emmanuel Macron on social networks.
The announcement of the location of this factory in France had been made by the president in 2019 and the state services, mainly in Bercy, have since mobilized to make this competitive project for Safran.
This factory, whose entry into service is scheduled in 2030, will complete the existing global system of Safran which already has installations for the manufacture of carbon brakes in Villeurbanne (France), Walton (United States) and Sendayan (Malaysia).
The State provided a subsidy up to 15 million euros and the region made a subsidy promise of 16 million euros, it is told in Bercy.
The time limit for connection to RTE electricity transport networks, a key point for plant locations, was shortened at 45 months for this project against 60 months usually.
EDF proposed energy to Safran at a price of 55 euros from the Megawatt-hour, Bercy told AFP.
EDF “is delighted with the choice made by Safran to install its factory in France and to be able to provide it with competitive and decarbonated electricity for the needs of its future project,” the energy company reacted in a press release.
The arrival of Safran in Ain “is the fruit of collective, demanding work, conducted with method and determination by the region” Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, also underlined Fabrice Pannekoucke, president of the region.
“With this new factory, we strengthen our position as world leader in carbon brakes and secure our ability to support our customers, in a context of strong growth in air traffic,” said Safran Director of Safran Olivier Andriès quoted in the press release.
Safran Landing Systems teams up to date 55% of commercial aircraft with more than 100 places and supports more than 500 airlines.
More efficient and lighter, the carbon brakes offer endurance three times higher than the steel brakes while allowing operators to reduce their fuel consumption.
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