France Pledges €130m to Cool Schools
- State-Owned utility EDF and several lenders announced on Friday a €130 million allocation to fund cooling systems in French schools and nurseries preparing for future heatwaves.
- Most French schools lack air-conditioning and struggle with extreme temperatures, prompting teaching unions to strike on Thursday to protest "unacceptable working conditions." A record-breaking heatwave this week forced thousands of closures.
- EDF CEO Bernard Fontana committed €80 million to provide over 100,000 cooling devices such as fans and air-conditioning units to more than 10,000 facilities by September.
- Economy Minister Roland Lescure stated 2,500 eligible schools will receive equipment starting next week, while separate lenders are earmarking €50 million to adapt 12,500 schools.
- The remaining funds will be distributed as €10,000 lump sums per facility to finance cooling system installations until the end of June 2027 as heatwaves become increasingly frequent.
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The debate on the air conditioning of schools has resurfaced in favour of the historic heat wave that has been taking place in France for several days. The "Racine" project, which promotes low-tech solutions, offers an alternative to refresh classrooms without climate change. Its initiator announced this Friday a plan of 50 million euros to adapt up to 12,500 schools. - "We had a live test stress": a plan of 50 million euros to refresh up to 12,…
Heat: EDF Puts 80 Million Euros on the Table to Refresh Schools, What Is the Budget per Institution?
While an exceptional heat wave is currently taking place in France, EDF is providing €80 million to equip schools, nurseries and leisure centres with cooling systems. At the same time, a €50 million scheme aims to adapt schools that are most exposed to high temperatures.
French public energy company EDF and others pledge over €130 million to cool schools
After a heatwave this week forced thousands of schools, most of which lack air conditioning, to close, EDF said it would fund over 100,000 cooling systems in more than 10,000 schools, and other lenders pledged to adapt 12,500 schools.
Half of the envelope will be used to finance more than 100,000 equipment in more than 10,000 establishments until the end of September 2026, details EDF in a press release.
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