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.

Legrand posts 12.3% increase driven by data centre demand

Legrand reaffirms its annual targets after strong first-quarter growth driven by the expansion of data centres and solid commercial performance in the United States.

Energy methane emissions reach 120 million tonnes in 2024

Methane released by the oil, gas and coal sectors remained at near-record levels, according to the International Energy Agency, which flagged the scale of massive leaks detected.

LONGi signs strategic agreement with ENGIE to supply solar projects in the Middle East and North Africa

LONGi will supply its Hi-MO 9 solar modules to ENGIE for large-scale projects in the MENA region, marking a new phase in industrial adoption of back contact technology.
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Orano loses contact with its representative in Niger after raids

Orano reports a lack of communication with its representative in Niger following a raid on its offices amid rising tensions with Nigerien authorities.

Euronext launches three indices to strengthen defence and energy financing

Stock exchange operator Euronext unveils thematic indices to channel capital into Europe's strategic energy, defence and aerospace sectors.

KHNP’s nuclear contract in Czech Republic suspended after legal action by EDF

Czech justice has suspended the signing of a major contract between Prague and South Korea’s KHNP, following a complaint by French group EDF challenging the fairness of the Dukovany nuclear project tender.
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Bayrou promises an open energy roadmap ahead of decree publication

Prime Minister François Bayrou confirmed that France’s 2025–2035 energy roadmap remains under discussion and will only be finalised after parliamentary debates starting on 16 June.

GazelEnergie restarts Gardanne biomass plant with reduced wood supply

A public inquiry on Gardanne’s biomass sourcing begins as GazelEnergie resumes operations at 4,000 hours per year.

Macron welcomes Berdymukhamedov in pursuit of gas deals with Turkmenistan

The French president hosts Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in Paris to finalise economic agreements amid geopolitical rivalries over Central Asian gas resources.
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ITER to open its facilities to the public on 17 May in Saint-Paul-lès-Durance

The international ITER project is organising an open day at its nuclear fusion site in the Bouches-du-Rhône, with teams mobilised to showcase the progress of the experimental installation to the public.

The Iberian blackout reignites tensions over grid adaptation to renewables

RTE states that no evidence currently links the Iberian blackout to renewable energy sources, as a European investigation begins and interconnections emerge as a strategic issue.

Subsea7 secures major contract with Petrobras for Búzios 11 field

Petrobras has awarded Subsea7 a large-scale contract for the development of the Búzios 11 field, located in the pre-salt Santos basin offshore Brazil.
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Tehran rejects French and US threats over its oil exports

Iran responded to threats of sanctions from the United States and France, denouncing what it sees as illegitimate political pressure and reaffirming its stance on the legality of its oil exports.

Iberian power outage: Madrid cites a complex incident and urges Paris on interconnections

One week after the massive blackout, Spain and Portugal continue their investigations with no technical conclusion, while Madrid calls on France to accelerate cross-border interconnection projects.

Shell posts net profit of $4.8bn in Q1 2025 despite falling oil prices

Shell plc recorded a net profit of $4.8bn in the first quarter of 2025, down 35%, but above analyst expectations, supported by solid operational performance and a new share buyback programme.
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Voltalia records 15% increase in production despite price pressure

Voltalia’s revenue rose by 2% in the first quarter of 2025, driven by third-party services, while energy production reached 1.1 terawatt-hours due to improved resources in Brazil.

Peter Dutton commits $200bn to bypass nuclear ban in Australia

Australia’s opposition leader unveils a seven-reactor plan, challenging current energy policy days before federal elections and reviving a decades-old debate.

Technip Energies raises forecast after 22% revenue surge

Technip Energies posted a double-digit growth in Q1 2025, supported by a record order backlog of €18.2bn ($19.46bn), despite regulatory uncertainties in the United States.
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ASNR changes its publication practices following nuclear sector merger

The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) will now publish its decisions and expert reports simultaneously, amid a controversial merger of nuclear oversight bodies.

French regulator lowers pace of renewable energy development

The French Energy Regulatory Commission proposes reducing certain renewable generation targets due to a slower-than-expected rise in electricity demand.