The French government has announced the cancellation of the "Rhônergia" hydroelectric project, which was planned for the Rhône River between Saint-Romain-de-Jalionas in Isère and Loyettes in Ain. This decision, revealed on August 29, 2024, by Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR), comes in response to significant opposition from local and regional elected representatives.
The "Rhônergia" project envisioned a 22-kilometer-long reservoir and a 4-kilometer dike to slow the river’s flow, creating a head of 6.8 meters capable of producing approximately 140 GWh annually, enough to power around 60,000 homes. The estimated cost of the project was 330 million euros.
However, despite CNR's goal of enhancing energy independence and addressing climate change, the project faced substantial criticism. Opponents argued that it threatened one of the last undeveloped areas of the Rhône and could damage local heritage, including Gallo-Roman remains.
