Dispatch from France | May '25
***Our weekly Dispatches provide an overview of the most relevant recent and upcoming developments for the shift to climate neutrality in selected European countries, from policy and diplomacy to society and industry. For a bird's-eye view of the country's climate-friendly transition, read the respective 'Guide to'.***
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
- The great blackout and its consequences - The exact causes and effects of the historic power outage in Spain and Portugal on 28 April, which also affected some parts of southern France, remained unclear. The country’s national grid operator RTE said it has taken measures to avoid a repetition. France supports an investigation by the European association of network operators (ENTSO-E) into the unprecedented blackout on the Iberian peninsula that lasted for up to 18 hours, as the region was disconnected from the European power grid. It remains to be seen what impact the episode will have on France’s future energy plans (see below).
- Multi-year energy plan in question - In response to criticism from the right and far-right about the renewables roll-out and a neglect of nuclear power, parliamentarians will discuss France's controversial long-term energy strategy. A public consultation on the 2025-2035 energy plan, which is meant to chart the country’s energy future, ended in early April. A report is in the making, but critics said the draft plan was inconsistent and didn’t sufficiently take into account differing opinions. As the government prepares to ratify the report (known as PPE3), the French Academy of Sciences criticised it as “unrealistic” and “incoherent”. The PPE3 is designed to meet three challenges: reducing energy consumption; ending coal-fired power generation by 2027 and dependence on fossil fuels by 2050; and increasing the production of all low-carbon energy carriers. The objective is to reduce the share of fossil fuels in energy consumption from around 60 percent in 2023 to 30 percent in 2035, with the ultimate goal being carbon neutrality by 2050. The PPE3 is meant to become a pillar of French energy policy, and gave rise to intense debates about the future role of renewable energies.
- Globally competitive power prices - France's electricity prices will soon be lower than anywhere in the US, according to state-owned power company EDF. CEO Luc Remont said that the power price is already the most competitive in Europe. Rémonts departure from EDF was sealed in March under pressure from the country's biggest industry groups, who blamed him for uncompetitive electricity prices. He will be replaced by Bernard Fontana, the CEO of EDF subsidiary Framatome, at EDF's annual general meeting in May.
- Delay to new generation of nuclear power plants - France's new generation of nuclear power plants (known as EPR2) is set to go online three years later than previously planned. It is now meant to become operational by 2038, instead of 2035. EPR2 reactors are supposed to be simpler and cheaper to build. The EPR2 programme will be financed by a government loan, which should cover at least half the construction costs. EDF has called for more state money in order to reign in debt.
- Uranium supply and diplomacy - France could lose a large part of its uranium stockpile in Niger as that country’s hostile military leadership might sell it to Russia or China. The mine was operated by French state-owned uranium company Orano's local subsidiary until the end of 2024. France is entirely dependent on uranium imports. In response, state-owned uranium company Orano is planning to mine the raw material needed for France's fleet of 57 nuclear reactors in Uzbekistan.
The latest from France – last month in recap
The latest from France – last month in recap
- The Flamanville saga continues - A new malfunction at the controversial Flamanville nuclear power plant has reignited a debate about the future of France's ageing fleet of nuclear reactors. One of its reactors suffered a steam leak in late March. The incident occurred just one week after the reactor returned to the grid following a two-month maintenance shutdown. The plant already has a twelve-year history of delays and a ballooning budget (from 3.3 billion to 13.2 billion euros).
- First wind and solar curtailment – France's increasing share of renewable energy installations is making itself felt in the electricity grid, as the country had to curtail wind and solar in France for the first time. Transmission system operator RTE stopped feed-in from wind and solar farm operations on thirteen occasions in March, leading to significant compensation payments. RTE has said it is concerned that France often produces more electricity than it needs, given the risk of grid complications.
- Climate issues and economic sovereignty - In the run-up to a debate in parliament on energy sovereignty, some twenty energy federations, including nuclear and renewable associations, called on parliament to initiate a “real breakthrough” in electrification in order to reduce France's dependence on fossil fuel imports, which amount to 65 billion euros per year, or 180 million euros per day. The organisations called for a rapid shift away from fossil fuels, which still account for 60 percent of France’s total energy consumption.
Camille’s picks – highlights from upcoming events and top reads
Camille’s picks – highlights from upcoming events and top reads
- The links between capitalism and climate explored on radio - Listen to this six-part radio series broadcast by public radio France Inter, which traces the history of capitalism, its origins and development, and its influence on our relationship with natural resources. It also looks at the study of climate to understand the rise of capitalism and human societies: from the pre-industrial era to the present day.
- Dear electric energy - The TV documentary “Très chère électricité” (a word play on dear/expensive power energy), looks at France's energy future and the major challenges ahead to achieve decarbonised, abundant and cheap electricity.
- Is cheaper electricity possible? In her book “Un secret si bien gardé” (A well-kept secret), Anne Lauvergeon accuses EDF of under-exploiting France’s nuclear fleet, resulting in higher electricity bills. The former executive from nuclear power multinational Areva, which was split up, also argues that the European Union undermined French nuclear power.
- New concepts for thinking about the energy transition – The influential think tank Shift Project proposes to take into account two new concepts for thinking about the energy transition. First, an “energy footprint” equivalent to the amount of energy needed for French consumption, regardless of whether goods and services are produced inside or outside of the country. Secondly, “energy exposure” to assess the energy required by the French economy.
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