Cordemais Power Station, Coal-fired power station in Cordemais, France
The Centrale thermique de Cordemais is a large coal-fired power station located near the Loire River in western France that generates electricity for the regional grid. The facility features massive industrial buildings, tall smokestacks, and coal storage areas supplied daily by rail transport.
Construction began in 1966 and the plant opened in 1970 to meet growing electricity demand in France, initially running on fuel oil before converting to coal. The facility has undergone multiple upgrades over decades to meet environmental regulations and increase its power output to approximately 1200 megawatts.
The power station is not open for regular visits and is located in an industrial area accessible by car or train. The best time to view it from outside is during daylight hours when activity is visible and security perimeters are clearly marked.
The plant was constructed on marshy terrain that flooded regularly, requiring extensive fill operations to create a stable foundation. An entirely new bridge had to be built to replace the original 1918 structure that could not support the heavy loads.
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