Posted on April 8, 2021
By Ludivine
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75 years! EDF is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. 75 years of service, innovation but also industrial tourism!
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EDF, 75 years of industrial history
On April 8, 1946, Électricité de France was born. The objective of this young company is to participate in the reconstruction from France and provide electricity the whole of the territory, still very little electrified. Infrastructure and numerous hydraulic dams are being built throughout the country.
From the 1960s, demand for electricity increased sharply in a France then in the midst of economic boom. In 1963, the commissioning of the first nuclear power plant in Chinon marks a turning point.
The 1973 oil shock decided France to launch a major nuclear construction program in order to ensure the‘energy independence of the country. EDF becomes the 1st nuclear operator in the world with 58 reactors.
From the 1980s, the EDF company began to export its nuclear know-how abroad with the construction of the first nuclear power plant in China in 1984.
At the start of the 21st century, the electricity market opened up to competition, EDF became a Anonimous society in 2004, the State remained the majority shareholder at 84%.
At the same time, the Group is also investing in research on the energies of the future. The future of the Group is at the heart of a policy of energetic transition and of fight against global warming.
In May 2020, EDF registered its raison d’être: “Building a CO2-neutral energy future that reconciles preservation of the planet, well-being and development thanks to electricity and innovative solutions and services. ” in its statutes to support the CAP 2030 strategy and its commitment to the environment.
EDF, a pioneer in company visits
EDF has always organized site visits. Transparency is essential for the company to inform residents and foster acceptance of these facilities. This approach of openness makes EDF a pioneer in company visits to France.
The movement accelerated during the construction of the Chinon power station in 1961: visitors can visit the site thanks to a belvedere which overhangs the site. At the end of the 1970s, EDF set up Public Information Centers in nuclear power plants to inform visitors about electricity production and thus provide education.
EDF is recognized as the leading French operator to invest in industrial tourism from the 1980s. Initiatives such as the publication of Industrial and technical tourism guides by region and the creation of Industrial tourism trophies place openness to the public at the heart of company policy.
In 2016, more than 50 EDF production sites appeared in the first tourist guide intended for company visits, the Routard guide to company visits. The guide was reissued in 2019 and two regional guides were published: Guide du Routard for company visits in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur and Guide du Routard for company visits in New Aquitaine; each of these guides promotes the Group’s visiting activity.
The launch of Electrical Industry Days in 2010 is another example of this investment in industrial tourism. The public is invited to enter the production sites to discover the operation of the installations and to meet the employees.
The highlights of emblematic places such as the Boule de Chinon, the Kembs hydroelectric plant, the Cruas-Meysse nuclear power plant, etc. will provide a different perspective on the industry and will appeal to heritage lovers. An EDF Odyssélec visual identity will be created to support this initiative.
Since 2019, 5 emblematic EDF sites have been referenced Expertise tourism sites of excellence, by Entreprise et Découverte, in partnership with Atout France, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture.
Today, the objectives of transparency, acceptability and pedagogy are still essential for EDF, which continues to welcome the public to its industrial facilities. Many school groups visit the sites each year, as well as local residents and the general public by participating in tours, conferences, escape games, workshops or activities, etc.
With 425,000 visitors welcomed in 2019, EDF is the 2nd most visited company in France.
In 2020, EDF is always adapting and innovating to offer new experiences to its public by developing immersive experiences, thematic tours, and outdoor tours on foot, by bike or electric scooter or by bus.
Find all the EDF sites open to visitors here
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