France

Newcleo launches European safeguards process for lead-cooled modular reactor

French nuclear reactor developer Newcleo has submitted its lead-cooled small modular reactor design to Euratom, initiating the first regulatory phase to integrate nuclear non-proliferation safeguards at the European level.

EDF raises cost estimate for six new nuclear reactors to €72.8 billion

French state utility EDF has increased the maximum estimated cost for building six new nuclear reactors to €72.8 billion ($85.29 billion), representing a 40% rise over the original figure.

France postpones publication of energy roadmap to 2026

The government has postponed the release of the new Multiannual Energy Programme to early 2026, delayed by political tensions over the balance between nuclear and renewables.
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France: the Council of State bans coalbed methane exploitation in Lorraine

The Council of State has cancelled the authorisation to exploit coalbed methane in Lorraine, citing risks to the region's main aquifer and bringing an end to a legal battle that began over a decade ago.

Technique Solaire secures €40mn junior debt to support 392 MWp in projects

Technique Solaire has secured €40mn ($43.5mn) in junior debt from BNP Paribas Asset Management to structure two solar portfolios totalling 392 MWp across France, Spain and the Netherlands.

Neoen wins 124 MWp in solar projects in latest French government tender

Independent power producer Neoen has secured six agrivoltaic projects totalling 124 MWp, reinforcing its position as the leading winner in French solar tenders since 2021.
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TOPCon 4.0 vs HJT: the financial trade-off in the solar sector in 2026

As the photovoltaic industry enters a phase of deep restructuring, the duel between TOPCon 4.0 and heterojunction technologies is redefining manufacturers’ margins. In 2026, reducing production costs becomes the primary strategic lever for global market leaders.

Dalkia wins €15bn contract to manage Paris heating network until 2050

The Paris Council awards a €15bn, 25-year contract to Dalkia, a subsidiary of EDF, to operate the capital’s heating network, replacing long-time operator Engie amid political tensions ahead of municipal elections.

Newcleo considers shifting €16bn nuclear projects from the UK to the United States

Faced with shorter approval timelines, several European nuclear firms, including Newcleo, Orano and Urenco, are considering relocating key industrial investments to the United States.
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Vallourec to deliver over 30,000 tonnes of pipes for TotalEnergies in Iraq

TotalEnergies has tasked Vallourec with supplying tubular solutions for drilling 48 wells as part of its integrated gas project in Iraq, reinforcing their ongoing industrial cooperation on the Ratawi field.

Framatome launches pilot line for TRISO nuclear fuel in France

Framatome will produce TRISO fuel at Romans-sur-Isère as part of a pilot project for advanced nuclear reactors, in partnership with actors such as Blue Capsule Technology.

Five companies launch SupraMarine to test offshore superconducting cables

The consortium brings together Air Liquide, RTE, Nexans, ITP Interpipe and CentraleSupélec to develop a demonstrator for offshore electricity transport using superconducting cables cooled with liquid nitrogen.
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Q ENERGY commissions new 26 MW wind farm in Haute-Marne

Developer Q ENERGY has inaugurated a seventh wind farm in Biesles, Haute-Marne, with Velto Renewables acquiring a 50% ownership stake.

Wind fisher launches first Magnus-effect wind turbine to harness high-altitude winds

French start-up Wind fisher unveils a pioneering airborne wind system capable of producing twice as much electricity as a ground-based turbine by tapping into powerful winds above 300 metres.

Lhyfe to deliver 90 tonnes of RFNBO hydrogen to a German operator over 15 months

French hydrogen producer Lhyfe has signed an agreement to supply 90 tonnes of RFNBO-certified hydrogen to a private fuel station operator in Germany for a fleet of buses.
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Boralex secures 125 MW in France’s PPE2 wind tender

The Canadian energy producer led the tenth wind tender launched by the CRE, with two projects representing 13% of the allocated capacity, strengthening its strategic position in the French market.

BW Ideol secures up to €74mn for concrete floater plant in Fos-sur-Mer

The European Commission has selected BW Ideol’s Fos3F project for a grant of up to €74mn, targeting the construction of a concrete floater plant for floating wind turbines at the industrial site of Fos-sur-Mer.

Boralex deepens its losses in Q3 despite 7% production increase

Canadian company Boralex reported a net loss of CAD30mn in the third quarter, impacted by lower electricity prices in France and adverse weather conditions in North America.
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Orano recovers its representative in Niger amid growing nuclear tensions

French nuclear group Orano has confirmed the release of its representative in Niger, detained since May, as tensions remain high with the country’s junta over control of uranium assets.

French consortium invests €7.3mn in offshore superconductivity project

A pilot project backed by the state aims to modernise electricity transport between offshore wind farms and the mainland grid using superconducting cables cooled with liquid nitrogen.

ACWA Power secures 800MW in Morocco with technical support from Gotion High-Tech

ACWA Power secures the NOOR Midelt 2 and 3 solar-storage project in Morocco, outbidding European and Emirati competitors, with decisive backing from Gotion High-Tech’s storage technology.

Fifth sanctioned Russian LNG carrier docks at Beihai terminal in China

The Iris carrier, part of the Arctic LNG 2 project, docked at China’s Beihai terminal despite US and EU sanctions, signalling intensifying gas flows between Russia and China.

EDP sells 121 MW wind portfolio to Amundi for €200mn

EDP Renováveis has completed the sale of twelve operational wind farms in France and Belgium to Amundi Transition Energétique for an enterprise value of €200mn ($215mn).
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UNITe wins two photovoltaic projects in Puy-de-Dôme

Independent power producer UNITe has been selected to develop two solar power plants on municipal land in Avèze and Malauzat, following a call for tenders by the French Energy Regulatory Commission.

Viridien partners with Mantle8 to accelerate natural hydrogen exploration in EMEA

Viridien takes a strategic stake in Mantle8 to boost natural hydrogen exploration across Europe, the Middle East and Africa by combining geological data and seismic detection technologies.

Vallourec signs $1bn contract with Petrobras for Brazilian offshore operations

French steel tube manufacturer Vallourec has secured a strategic agreement with Petrobras, covering complete offshore well solutions from 2026 to 2029.
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Statkraft France secures new 15.5 MWc solar contract in Marne

Statkraft France won a 15.5 MWc solar project in Mourmelon-le-Grand during the latest national tender round, bringing its total awarded capacity to nearly 70 MWc in less than a year.

GTT wins contract for LNG tanks on floating unit in Africa

GTT has been selected by Samsung Heavy Industries to design cryogenic tanks for a floating natural gas liquefaction unit, scheduled for deployment at an offshore site in Africa.

Ocean Winds installs first foundation at Dieppe – Le Tréport offshore wind farm

Ocean Winds reaches a new milestone with the installation of the first foundation at the Dieppe – Le Tréport offshore wind farm, which will comprise 62 turbines supplying nearly 850,000 people.
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European Union targets eight bottlenecks to secure its power grid

The European Commission launches a regulatory plan addressing eight major power grid blockages to reduce price disparities and strengthen energy security across the Union.

Iran and IAEA sign technical agreement to restart nuclear inspections

Iran has reached a new agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to formalise the resumption of inspections, following months of suspension linked to military tensions and criticism of its nuclear programme.

TotalEnergies strengthens its presence in the United States with Rio Grande LNG Train 4

TotalEnergies commits to Train 4 of the Rio Grande LNG project in Texas, consolidating its position in liquefied natural gas with a 10% direct stake and a 1.5 Mtpa offtake agreement.
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France positions itself on small modular reactors with eleven key recommendations

The French Energy Regulatory Commission outlines a structured plan to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, focusing on industrial heat and series effects to enhance competitiveness.

Pennavel and BrestPort sign strategic agreement for Breton floating wind project

Pennavel and BrestPort strengthen their partnership around the South Brittany floating wind project, aiming to structure industrial operations from 2030 at the EMR terminal of the port of Brest.

Voltalia unveils SPRING, a strategic plan to restore profitability by 2026

Voltalia launches a transformation programme targeting a return to profit from 2026, built on a refocus of activities, a new operating structure and self-financed growth of 300 to 400 MW per year.
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TotalEnergies confirms imminent investment decision for new LNG train in Texas

The Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies said that NextDecade would formalise on Tuesday a final investment decision for a new liquefaction unit under the Rio Grande LNG project in the United States.

GE cuts 600 energy jobs in Europe, including 120 in France

GE Vernova will cut 600 jobs in Europe, with the Belfort gas turbine site in France particularly affected, amid financial growth and strategic reorganisation.

Innergex secures 85 MW in France with six agrivoltaic solar projects

Canadian developer Innergex has won all six projects of the Grenier des Essences portfolio for a total of 85 MW, strengthening its position in France’s ground-mounted solar sector.
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French and Belgian nuclear industry groups sign strategic cooperation agreement

The Groupement des Industriels Français de l'Énergie Nucléaire and the Belgian Nuclear Forum formalise a partnership aimed at strengthening industrial exchanges and joint projects between the two countries’ nuclear sectors.

Two sanctioned Russian LNG carriers deliver to China despite restrictions

The Voskhod and Zarya vessels, targeted by Western sanctions, departed China’s Beihai terminal after potentially offloading liquefied natural gas from the Arctic LNG 2 project.