The Valenciennes area is particularly involved in electromobility and hydrogen production.

Valenciennes has a long history in the automotive industry with the presence of Toyota, which produces hybrid vehicles there and is the largest private employer in the region (5,000 jobs). The development of electromobility is a logical step in the “Battery Valley,” a series of projects stretching from Valenciennes to Dunkirk that cover the entire electric battery cycle.

In addition, two sites near Valenciennes have been listed in the “France 2030 turnkey sites.”

This area has been identified by RTE in its Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) as a priority zone for industrial consumption (so-called P2 zones). 

RTE is adopting a proactive strategy for connecting industry (low-carbon and/or digital): this is a stated priority of the TYNDP. The success of this strategy is based on a territorial planning principle that prioritizes RTE's investments in areas of the country that are attractive to industrial (low-carbon and/or digital) project developers.

In this context, RTE has launched the study of a pooled connection infrastructure for the area's manufacturers, in application of articles L.342-2 and L.342-18 of the French Energy Code.

The study area extends between Maubeuge, Valenciennes and Denain:

Completion of the study for the pooled solution is scheduled for September 2026.

Inventory of projects in the areas under study

The examination of a pooling project requires having the most precise possible vision of the expected consumption demands. RTE therefore encourages stakeholders who have a connection or power increase project in the area concerned to declare this project before the end of the study in writing to the following address: rte-fcent-raccordement-conso-dist@rte-france.com.