SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

France: The Senate rules out a nationalization of EDF

The Senate adopted in first reading a socialist text against the "dismantling" of EDF, but ruled out a "nationalization". The Socialist group denounced "the attitude of the Senate right" and plans to take up the text again at the second reading in the National Assembly.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90£/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90£/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90£/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 £/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99£/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99£/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 £/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

The Senate, with a right-wing majority, voted on Thursday for the first reading of a socialist text against the “dismantling” of EDF, but ruling out a “nationalization” of the energy company, a key article of the bill.

The bill of the deputy Philippe Brun, emptied of its substance at the initiative of the rapporteur LR Gérard Longuet, was examined in a parliamentary niche reserved for the PS group. It was adopted by 206 votes “for” and 123 “against”. In the end, the left voted against, the socialist group denouncing “the attitude of the Senate right, which has totally distorted this bill.

The RDPI group, with a Renaissance majority, also voted against “a skeletal text, and even then, when archaeologists find an incomplete skeleton,” said Julien Bargeton. In the National Assembly, the GDR group has already planned to take it up at second reading on May 4, in its reserved space. The Minister of Industry Roland Lescure said that “this bill aims to respond to anxieties that have no reason to be”.

“The Hercules project (controversial project of restructuring of EDF, editor’s note) is dead and buried. There is no visible or hidden project of dismantling our national operator,” he assured once again. The senators deleted the nationalization procedure provided for in Article 1, which was deemed unnecessary in view of the takeover bid undertaken by the State. They replaced it with the objective of a 100% state ownership of EDF.

But for the Socialist Franck Montaugé, this “very liberal approach (…) leaves open all subsequent operations of sale of subsidiaries”. “Nationalizing EDF is to rearm France,” Victorin Lurel pleaded in vain. The Senate has also maintained in the text, after rewriting, the article aimed at extending the benefit of regulated tariffs for the sale of electricity to all very small businesses (VSE) and small municipalities. This article, which the government opposes, was almost dropped in a moment of confusion and had to be voted on again at the request of the president of the PS group, Patrick Kanner.

The bill was adopted on first reading in the National Assembly thanks to the cooperation of all the oppositions against the presidential camp, which left the Chamber accusing the provision on regulated tariffs of circumventing the Constitution.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Italy could unlock €16bn in hydropower through new concession model
Sub-Saharan Africa LNG exports expected to triple by 2034
European Union maintains 2028 deadline to end Russian gas imports
Octopus Energy partners with Ming Yang to accelerate wind development in the UK
US greenhouse gas emissions may plateau by 2030
Guyana to tighten contractual framework for oil production
Re-elected president Irfaan Ali announces stricter production-sharing agreements to increase national economic returns.
Coal India launches 5 GW of solar and wind projects across the country
Coal India issues tenders to develop 5 GW of renewable capacity, split between solar and wind, as part of its long-term energy strategy.
US utilities plan 147 GW in new high-load capacity by 2035
US utilities anticipate a rapid increase in high-intensity loads, targeting 147 GW of new capacity by 2035, with a strategic shift toward deregulated markets.
France: RTE launches public debate on €100 billion for the power grid
France opens a national consultation on RTE’s plan to invest €100 billion by 2040 to modernise the high-voltage electricity transmission grid.
California speeds up permits to secure federal tax credits
Governor Gavin Newsom orders state agencies to fast-track clean energy projects to capture Inflation Reduction Act credits before deadlines expire.
German industry warns of €5.4tn energy burden by 2049
Germany’s energy transition could cost up to €5.4tn ($6.3tn) by 2049, according to the main industry organisation, raising concerns over national competitiveness.
Power cuts plunge Iranian businesses into lasting operational crisis
Facing blackouts imposed by the authorities, small businesses in Iran record mounting losses amid drought, fuel shortages and pressure on the national power grid.
T Plus to maintain electricity production at 57.6 TWh in 2025
Russian group T Plus plans to stabilise its electricity output at 57.6 TWh in 2025, despite a decline recorded in the first half of the year, according to Chief Executive Officer Pavel Snikkars.
French energy regulator corrects ten public claims on costs and production
In France, the Commission de régulation de l’énergie issues a clarification on ten statements shared over the summer, correcting several figures regarding tariffs, production and investments in the electricity sector.
Dozens of scientists denounce climate report deemed biased by US Department of Energy
A group of 85 researchers challenges the scientific validity of the climate report released by the US Department of Energy, citing partial methods and the absence of independent peer review.
Five new projects obtain CB RES status and join the Commission list
Five energy infrastructure projects have been added to the list of cross-border renewable projects, making them eligible for financial support under the CEF Energy programme.
Tanzania bets on compressed natural gas to cut oil imports
The Tanzanian government launches a national consultation to accelerate the rollout of compressed natural gas, mobilising public and private financing to secure energy supply and lower fuel costs.
Kuwait launches tenders for 1.8GW energy and water project
The Kuwaiti government has invited three international consortia to submit bids for the first phase of the Al Khairan project, combining power generation and desalination.
NNPC Ltd keeps Port Harcourt refinery and focuses on rehabilitation
Nigeria’s state-owned oil company abandons plans to sell the Port Harcourt refinery and confirms a maintenance programme despite high operating costs.
Political crisis in France: energy roadmap threatened by new delay
The publication of the Multiannual Energy Programme decree, awaited for two years, is compromised by internal political tensions, jeopardising strategic investments in nuclear and renewables.
EIA delays key reports after 30% staff reduction
The US Energy Information Administration reschedules or cancels several publications, affecting the availability of critical data for oil, gas and renewables markets.
Brazil dismantles criminal fuel network worth BRL52bn
Brazilian authorities have launched a large-scale operation targeting a money laundering system linked to the fuel sector, involving investment funds, fintechs, and more than 1,000 service stations across the country.
Natural gas and solar receive broad support across the United States
A national study by the Davies Group reveals widespread American support for the simultaneous development of both renewable and fossil energy sources, with strong approval for natural gas and solar energy.
Seoul Imposes 25% Cut in Petrochemical Capacity to Stabilize the Sector
The South Korean government compels ten petrochemical groups to cut up to 3.7 million tons of naphtha cracking per year, tying financial and tax support to swift and documented restructuring measures.
Washington extends emergency orders to strengthen Puerto Rico’s power grid
The U.S. Department of Energy has extended until November the emergency measures aimed at ensuring the stability of Puerto Rico’s power grid against overload risks and recurring outages.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.