France

ENGIE secures 31GWh/year of biomethane from CVE Biogaz in Ludres

ENGIE signs a 15-year agreement with CVE Biogaz for the purchase of biomethane produced in Ludres, under the Biogas Production Certificates mechanism, marking a structuring step for the sector's development in France.

France slows emissions reduction with only 0.8% drop expected in 2025

Citepa projections confirm a marked slowdown in France's climate trajectory, with emissions reductions well below targets set in the national low-carbon strategy.

France launches public debate on radioactive waste management until February

A nationwide debate on radioactive waste strategy begins on October 13 for four months. It will accompany the preparation of the next five-year roadmap regulating storage, treatment and funding policies through 2031.
en_1140121052540

Engie and Masdar secure 1.5 GW solar project in Abu Dhabi

The consortium led by Engie and Masdar has been selected to develop a 1.5 GW photovoltaic plant in Abu Dhabi, aimed at expanding the emirate’s solar capacity under its long-term energy strategy.

EBRD and Qair in talks for €19mn financing of 100 MW solar plant in Gafsa

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is reviewing a loan for a 100 MW photovoltaic project led by Qair in Tunisia, backed by a long-term power purchase agreement with the national utility.

Gauss Fusion unveils Europe’s first industrial design for a fusion power plant

Gauss Fusion has released a full-scale plan for GIGA, its first commercial fusion power plant, amid Germany’s growing ambition to lead the future energy race.
en_1140101071540

Bercy veto blocks ABB’s attempt to acquire Legrand

ABB made several attempts to acquire Legrand, but the French government opposed the deal, citing strategic concerns linked to data centres.

Launch of a €400,000 local fundraising campaign for a wind farm in Brittany

Wpd launches a crowdfunding campaign to support the construction of the Bréhand wind farm, aiming to raise €400,000 from residents with a fixed annual interest rate of 7%.

CVE installs 140 kWc agrivoltaic demonstrator on cattle farm

French independent producer CVE has commissioned an agrivoltaic pilot project in Haute-Loire, aiming to test solar panel integration on a cattle farm ahead of a future 12 MWc installation.
en_1140101079540

EDF lowers expected output of Flamanville EPR to 1,585 MW

EDF anticipates a 35 MW decrease in output for the Flamanville EPR between 2026 and 2031, citing a degraded performance level with no official technical explanation to date.

French electricity pricing reform raises concerns over increased consumer exposure

A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.

Air Liquide invests $50mn to expand its hydrogen network in Texas

Air Liquide announces a $50mn investment to strengthen its hydrogen network on the US Gulf Coast, following long-term contracts signed with two major American refiners.
en_114081035540

Brussels moves forward with plan to eliminate Russian oil and gas imports by 2028

Ambassadors of European Union member states have approved the transmission of a legislative proposal to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by January 2028 to the Council of Ministers.

France blocks Aquind’s €1.4bn power link project across the Channel

The Seine-Maritime prefecture denies Aquind access to public maritime domain, halting a €1.4bn ($1.47bn) Franco-British power interconnection project.

Denmark strengthens maritime controls at Skagen Strait amid Russian shadow fleet activity

Denmark is intensifying inspections of ships passing through Skagen, a strategic point linking the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, to counter the risks posed by the Russian shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil.
en_114071059540

TotalEnergies appoints Nicola Mavilla as global head of exploration

Nicola Mavilla succeeds Kevin McLachlan as TotalEnergies' Director of Exploration, bringing over two decades of international experience in the oil and gas industry.

VSB France launches 39.9 MW wind farm in Calvados

VSB France begins construction of its largest onshore wind project, a strategic 39.9 MW investment across two municipalities in Calvados, with commissioning scheduled for 2027.

TotalEnergies and Banque des Territoires launch a platform to equip local authorities

TotalEnergies and Banque des Territoires create a joint venture to accelerate the rollout of public electric charging infrastructure in French municipalities, with a focus on urban and suburban areas.
en_114071092540

Lesaffre harnesses waste heat to strengthen its industrial energy autonomy

Lesaffre and ENGIE Solutions have inaugurated a waste heat recovery unit in Marcq-en-Barœul, covering 70% of the site's thermal needs through two industrial heat pumps.

EDF power solutions commissions 30 MW biomass plant in Colombia

EDF power solutions and Refocosta have inaugurated Colombia’s largest wood biomass power plant in Villanueva, with 30 MW of capacity and an annual output of 200 GWh injected into the national grid.

NGOs call for global ban on offshore oil exploration

Over 100 international organisations are urging a halt to offshore oil and gas exploration ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference scheduled in June in Nice.

EDF Renewables deploys single platform to monitor 5GW of wind turbines

EDF Renewables is centralising condition monitoring of over 5GW of wind turbines through ONYX Insight’s fleetMONITOR platform, reinforcing its global predictive maintenance strategy.

France: Fos-sur-Mer launches unprecedented debate on €20bn industrial projects

The National Commission for Public Debate opens a three-month consultation in Fos-sur-Mer on the industrial future of this strategic zone, ahead of state decisions on 40 projects with major economic and energy implications.
en_1140290949540-2

Four operators to merge access to 11,000 fast-charging stations across Europe

Ionity, Fastned, Electra and Atlante will launch a joint platform this summer allowing drivers to access their fast-charging networks across 25 countries without additional formalities.

Urbaser wins €700mn contract for incinerator near Paris

Urbaser will operate the Étoile verte incinerator in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine from January 2026 under a €700mn, twelve-year agreement signed with Syctom, the public operator for the Paris region.

The European Union must invest €1.871 trillion to modernise its power grids by 2050

The European Court of Auditors warns of the urgency of massive investments in the Union’s ageing power grids, hampered by administrative delays and inadequate planning.
en_1140290949540

Innergex secures two 32 MW solar projects in Yonne through CRE approval

Canadian producer Innergex has received approval from the Energy Regulation Commission for two agrivoltaic solar projects in France, marking its entry into the national photovoltaic market.

MPs and energy experts call for suspension of France’s PPE3 energy roadmap

Several lawmakers and former energy executives are demanding a moratorium on PPE3, criticising a plan they view as disconnected from current economic and geopolitical realities.

Global white hydrogen reserves spark a new race for exploration

From France to Mali and Albania, recent discoveries of substantial white hydrogen reserves are fueling global competition for commercial exploitation of this still-underestimated resource.
en_1140290951540

Framatome and TechnicAtome acquire Segault to secure the French nuclear supply chain

Framatome and TechnicAtome have acquired Segault, a strategic nuclear valve manufacturer, thereby blocking a takeover by the American firm Flowserve following opposition from the French government.

Washington ends oil licences in Venezuela to increase pressure on Maduro

The United States has cancelled oil operation authorisations in Venezuela for foreign companies, disrupting exports and reinforcing the country's economic isolation following Nicolás Maduro's contested re-election.

Subsea7 secures contract up to $150M for Northern Lights in Norway

Subsea7 has been awarded a major contract by Equinor for Phase 2 of the Northern Lights project, involving the installation of a CO2 pipeline offshore Norway, with operations scheduled for 2026 and 2027.
en_1140290954540-22

KHIMOD and Hydroalp to deploy innovative methanation unit in Italy by 2026

KHIMOD and Hydroalp join forces with SGI to install an e-methane production unit in Italy, using agricultural CO₂ and green hydrogen, with commissioning planned for Q1 2026.

France grants two exploration permits for natural hydrogen in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Storengy and 45-8 ENERGY have secured two exclusive research permits to explore the natural hydrogen potential in southwestern France, reinforcing their role in a nascent sector.

Bernard Fontana to be heard by Parliament ahead of EDF leadership appointment

The head of Framatome will be heard on 30 April by both chambers to validate his nomination to lead EDF, following the non-renewal of Luc Rémont by the executive.
en_1140290945540-23

Repsol seeks to maintain operations in Venezuela despite US licence revocation

Repsol’s Chief Executive said the company is exploring options with US authorities to remain active in Venezuela following Washington’s decision to end sanctions waivers.

United States revokes Maurel & Prom’s oil licence in Venezuela

Maurel & Prom confirmed that US authorities cancelled its operating licence in Venezuela, while allowing it to finalise operations until 27 May.

Al Gore downplays Trump’s economic impact on global energy transition

Former US Vice President Al Gore stated in Paris that Donald Trump’s decisions will not durably hinder the global rise of renewable energies, driven by falling solar production costs.
en_1140290946540-21

Radioactive leak in Flamanville: EDF delays reactor restart by one month

A radioactive steam leak detected in the reactor building of Flamanville unit 1 forces EDF to postpone its restart by one month, according to the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority.

France: Marc Ferracci ready to submit energy roadmap to parliamentary vote

The Minister of Industry and Energy expressed openness to a debate and a vote on the 2025–2035 energy strategy, amid criticism from opposition parties over the lack of democratic consultation.