Français
Faced with the urgency of the situation, elected officials made their decision. With thirteen votes in favor, four against, and two abstentions, the territorial councilors granted the president of the Collectivité authorization to sign a new framework agreement on energy on Tuesday, January 27. This was a crucial decision for the island and its inhabitants, which had to be taken before January 31. However, some elected officials did not hide their reservations and concerns about the content of the document presented to them.
In his opening remarks, Council President Xavier Lédée recalled that a "working group" had been set up "several months" ago to draw up the framework agreement. Senator Micheline Jacques played a key role in this group, thanks to the network she has built up in Paris. "This agreement is more comprehensive and covers a period of 25 years," Xavier Lédée explained.
Equalization maintained
The document presents several advances, including one that is particularly significant: the approval of the multi-year energy program (PPE) voted by the territorial council on December 22, 2022. Like most of those in France, this PPE had been awaiting approval.
The framework agreement also includes the maintenance of the equalization mechanism, which allows the island's inhabitants to benefit from reduced bills compared to the cost of production. It also covers issues such as the size and financing of the future new power plant, the system for generating electricity using steam produced by the Paprec waste incinerator, and the conditions for purchasing electricity generated by solar photovoltaic installations. In short, the document appears to be flawless. However, it is in the detailed analysis that reservations emerge.
The CESCE's reservations
Starting with those contained in the opinion of the Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Council (CESCE). This document only reached elected officials at the last minute. While the CESCE "fully approves the strategic vision" of the Collectivity for the construction of the new EDF power plant, which consists of financing the installation of six new engines, instead of four, equipped with a denitrification device, it "expresses serious concern about the current financial structure of the project." The CESCE writes: "The proposed plan poses a real risk of financial difficulty for the Collectivity, characterized by a massive investment subsidy of €50 million (likely to increase) and annual fixed costs of up to €4 million per year. The CESCE points out the major commitments that the Collectivity will have to undertake over the next six years, including the construction of a new hospital, new schools, and a cultural center, in addition to the structural projects already underway. Furthermore, the CESCE does not hesitate to mention the risk of stifling the Collectivity's future budgetary capacity, "while leaving no room for maneuver to finance the territory's energy transition." This argument is dismissed by President Lédée. "This represents a cost of around ten million per year, which is entirely manageable," says the elected representative, who backs up his statement by referring to the implementation of "more energy-efficient measures" and asserting that "there is room for maneuver."
In its opinion, the CESCE is also concerned about the consumption cap of 140 GWh, accompanied by a commitment to reduce consumption by 25% over 25 years. "Beyond this ceiling, the Collectivity will have to bear the additional production costs alone," says the CESCE, which fears that continued "natural growth in energy needs in the coming years" will force the Collectivity to "raise more than €600 million in taxes over the next 25 years to finance any excess consumption." The Council also believes that the proposed measure "runs counter to the energy transition" and "hinders the decarbonization of transport," precisely because of the risk of exceeding the imposed cap. These concerns should be put into perspective, according to President Lédée and Senator Micheline Jacques.
"Another year of work"
The former insists that the Collectivité "has found a formula" with the State "that will allow us to meet again in the coming year." Adjustments are therefore still possible. "There is still a year of work ahead on the energy future of Saint Barthélemy," says the president. Similarly, the senator takes a pragmatic view.
Micheline Jacques explains: "The agreement includes a clause for review every five years. Continuing discussions with the State will enable Saint Barthélemy to move towards energy independence. That is our goal. To achieve it, we must do our part." The parliamentarian points out, regarding the equalization mechanism that will be extended: "It is not a right. The cost of the differential is €30 million per year for the State. Without equalization, it would be the residents or the Collectivity who would have to make up the difference."
During the session, two elected officials expressed certain reservations. The first was Maxime Desouches. The territorial councilor particularly regretted that the contribution to the public electricity service (CSPE) is now subject to "energy solidarity under annual budgetary constraints and State arbitration." He was also surprised by the "sudden" urgency to validate the framework agreement. He described this urgency as "a calendar ploy designed to put pressure on elected officials." Like the CESCE, he raised the "major budgetary risk" associated with capping consumption and called on elected officials to "refuse to rush into a decision."
"Not an end in itself"
For Dimitri Lédée, the concern stems from a lack of "visibility." He explains: "When I read this agreement, I don't get my money's worth. I see very few figures (...) We have to make a decision with serious consequences. Whether or not to sign the agreement. It's not satisfactory." A few minutes later, he regrets "the conditions imposed for maintaining equalization."
"We are not voting for everything the CRE (Energy Regulatory Commission, nrld) wants," says Xavier Lédée, who points out that the CRE did not want to renew the equalization mechanism for Saint Barthélemy. "The risk of not having an agreement today is significant," says the president. We should have had these discussions ten or fifteen years ago." This opinion is shared by Sylvère Gréaux.
The Saint-Barth d'Abord representative regrets having to "find himself with his back against the wall." He confirmed that signing the agreement "is not an end in itself" given the negotiations to be conducted before the end of the year. In particular, on "the method of calculating consumption, which currently includes self-consumption, including solar, by individuals," explained the councilor, adding: "The territorial council must stand united to exclude renewable energies from this calculation. This is essential to truly encourage green investment." In addition, he points out that elected officials will have to "move forward on the Building and Housing Code so that the buildings of tomorrow are as virtuous as possible." Another important project on the horizon for governance.
