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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

France: Fabrice Coudour takes over FNME-CGT, a key union in the energy sector

The National Federation of Mines and Energy of the General Confederation of Labour (FNME-CGT) has elected Fabrice Coudour as secretary general. He succeeds Sébastien Ménesplier and inherits strategic issues, including the opening of hydropower concessions to competition.

Nexans sells its industrial division Lynxeo to Latour Capital for 525 million euros

Nexans has announced that it has entered into exclusive negotiations with the investment fund Latour Capital for the sale of Lynxeo, its industrial cable division, for an amount of 525 million euros. This transaction is part of the group’s strategy to focus on electrification.

France: Carester launches rare earth recycling plant in Lacq with €216 mn funding

Lyon-based company Carester has begun construction of a rare earth recycling and refining plant in Lacq, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, after securing €216 million in funding from the French government and Japanese partners. The site, named Caremag, is set to begin operations by the end of 2026.
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France: uncertainties and challenges in industrial transformation at Fos-sur-Mer

In Fos-sur-Mer, the transformation of the industrial-port zone into a low-carbon industrial hub raises both ambitions and questions. Despite announced investments, challenges related to infrastructure, energy, and timelines remain significant.

Engie Finalizes Extension of Doel-Tihange Reactors with Belgian State

Engie has finalized a ten-year extension agreement with the Belgian state for the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors, including a financial responsibility transfer related to spent fuel, following recent approval by the European Commission.

France: EDF Renouvelables faces justice over the mortality of protected birds

The Montpellier criminal court must rule on the criminal liability of EDF Renouvelables and its subcontractors regarding the excessive mortality of protected birds at the Causse d’Aumelas wind farm, located in a Natura 2000 zone.
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France authorises the reuse of wastewater in industry and nuclear sectors

The French government has issued a decree expanding the use of treated wastewater to industrial and nuclear sectors, aiming to reduce pressure on water resources.

Compliance of EPR2 Penly concrete: Eiffage and EDF refute allegations

Tests on the concrete of the EPR2 Penly seawall have raised doubts about its compliance with safety standards, according to Mediapart and Reporterre. EDF and Eiffage contest these claims, asserting that the material meets technical requirements.

Emmanuel Macron to Chair Nuclear Policy Council Focused on SMRs and Uranium Supply

On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron will chair a Nuclear Policy Council focused on small modular reactors (SMRs) and uranium supply, within a global context of renewed interest in nuclear energy.
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Washington approves $4.7 billion loan for TotalEnergies in Mozambique

The United States reactivates a major loan for TotalEnergies' Mozambique LNG project, stalled since 2021 due to a jihadist attack. The funding should enable a market-anticipated restart by 2030.

Major companies pledge to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050

A group of technology and energy companies, along with 31 countries, has signed a pledge to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, supporting a strategic expansion of this energy source.

UK: 3.6% reduction in emissions in 2024, coal usage at historic low

UK greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 3.6% in 2024, marking a slowdown in the pace of reduction. The end of coal usage in electricity production and the rise in electric vehicles contributed to this trend.
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More than 160 Senators Call for a Revision of the French Multi-Year Energy Programme

More than 160 senators from the right and centre have urged François Bayrou to suspend the publication of the third Multi-Year Energy Programme (PPE 3), criticizing its lack of a comprehensive vision and calling for greater parliamentary involvement in defining the energy mix.

Tesla plans to double its production in the United States by 2027

Elon Musk announced that Tesla will increase its electric vehicle production in the United States over the next two years. This statement comes as the company faces declining sales and stock market volatility.

Viridien raises $925 million to refinance its debt

Viridien S.A. has completed a $925 million senior secured bond issuance to refinance its second-lien debt and strengthen its liquidity profile. Rating agencies have upgraded their assessments following this transaction.
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Newcleo and Danieli Sign Nuclear Partnership to Decarbonize European Steel Industry

Newcleo and Danieli have signed a strategic agreement to integrate advanced nuclear reactors into steel production processes, aiming to eliminate fossil fuel use amid rising energy costs in Europe's industrial sectors.

La Réunion Converts Waste into Electricity to Aim for Energy Independence

An energy recovery facility is expected to transform 240,000 tons of waste annually into electricity, covering 10% of local energy needs and reducing the island's external energy dependence.

France: CRE calls for tariff adjustments to stabilize the market

The French Energy Regulatory Commission has requested government modifications to new tariff provisions aimed at small photovoltaic installations to prevent economic instability for sector professionals.
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Orano secures €400M loan from EIB for uranium enrichment plant expansion

Orano has secured a €400 million loan from the European Investment Bank to finance the expansion of its Georges Besse II uranium enrichment plant at Tricastin, aiming to increase its capacity by 30% by 2028.

Velto Renewables and Q ENERGY join forces to acquire 530 MW in Europe

Velto Renewables, backed by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), and Q ENERGY have signed an agreement to acquire renewable energy projects in Europe. An initial portfolio of 130 MW has been acquired in France, with an additional 400 MW planned in Spain and Portugal.