France and Germany pledge energy policy alignment “in the interest of Europe”
Clean Energy Wire
Germany and France have agreed to cooperate more closely on energy at the European level, also finding common ground regarding a long-standing division over the role of nuclear energy. “There are fundamental differences between France and Germany in terms of energy policy,” said German chancellor Friedrich Merz at a joint press conference during a government summit in southern France. “This does not affect our cooperation in any way.”
While both Germany and France are pursuing a carbon-free energy future, their approach long differed. Germany focused heavily on the expansion of renewables and shuttered its last remaining nuclear reactors in 2023, while France pushed for a Europe-wide revival of the technology, arguing that it is indispensable for achieving climate neutrality.
The countries have now agreed to no longer stand in each other’s way when it comes to energy policy. “We want to promote technology neutrality because it allows us to simultaneously strengthen competitiveness, decarbonisation and the further development of our economy,” said France’s president Emmanuel Macron. “We will try to harmonise our energy policies in the interests of Europe.”
In a joint "economic agenda", the two countries said they might eventually bring forward joint proposals for the European Union's energy policy until the year 2040 to "ensure non-discrimination among all net-zero and low-carbon energy technologies in their respective contribution to European energy, sustainability, and climate goals."
The governments also pledged to expand cross-border energy infrastructure, including new grid connections between Germany and France, as well as hydrogen connections to southwestern Europe. “It is always important that the various grids in Germany and France are coordinated so that progress can be made at European level,” Macron added. The German government sees hydrogen as a major pillar of its future energy supply.
Merz came together with Macron at the 25th Franco-German Ministerial Council on 29 August. The meeting is a regular format in which ministers and heads of government from both countries consult on joint priorities, and have an opportunity to clear up contentious issues. Merz and Macron’s agreements follow their earlier commitment to work together in energy policy, competitiveness, and technology, and rekindle Europe’s Franco-German engine. The countries made further cooperation agreements on defence, security, access to raw materials and secure supply chains, as well as disinformation.
