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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Plug Power installs 5 MW electrolyzer in Namibia for integrated hydrogen hub

Plug Power has completed the installation of a 5 MW PEM electrolyzer for Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, marking the launch of Africa’s first fully integrated green hydrogen production and distribution site.

California Resources finalises asset transfer with Berry Corporation for $253mn

California Resources Corporation completed an all-stock asset transfer with Berry Corporation, strengthening its oil portfolio in California and adding strategic exposure in the Uinta Basin.

Gevo receives “A” rating for North Dakota site from BeZero Carbon

Gevo receives high-quality assessment for its carbon capture credits in North Dakota, strengthening the commercial value of its certificates in the voluntary carbon markets.
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esVolta transfers Black Walnut project tax credit to Computacenter

esVolta finalises investment tax credit transfer for its Black Walnut storage project to Computacenter, marking a first-of-its-kind operation within its California energy portfolio.

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.

JA Solar and Trinasolar Lead a Global Solar Market in Crisis

JA Solar and Trinasolar top Wood Mackenzie’s latest semiannual ranking despite a sector-wide net loss of $2.2 billion. Industrial leaders are strengthening their grip on global photovoltaic module supply through rigorous financial discipline.
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Peregrine launches 500 MWh storage project near Dallas with Wärtsilä and WHC

Peregrine Energy Solutions has begun construction on a 500 MWh storage project in Texas, relying on Wärtsilä's technology and WHC's engineering expertise to enhance ERCOT grid flexibility.

Israel seals a €30 billion gas contract with Egypt

An agreement announced on December 17, 2025 provides for twenty years of deliveries through 2040. The package amounts to 112 billion new Israeli shekels (Israeli shekels) (NIS), with flows intended to support Egyptian gas supply and Israeli public revenues.

Egypt launches $220mn solar complex in the Suez Canal zone

The ATUM Solar industrial complex, located in Ain Sokhna, will include three factories—two of 2 GW capacity—backed by a $220mn investment from an international consortium.
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ADNOC raises up to $11bn to finance the Hail and Ghasha offshore gas project

Abu Dhabi’s national oil company has secured a landmark structured financing to accelerate the development of the Hail and Ghasha gas project, while maintaining strategic control over its infrastructure.

Meg O’Neill takes over BP to refocus the group on hydrocarbons

British company BP appoints Meg O'Neill as CEO to lead its strategic refocus on fossil fuels, following the abandonment of its climate ambitions and the early departure of Murray Auchincloss.

Masdar commissions first UK storage site and adds 150 MW of new capacity

Masdar begins commercial operations at a Stockport battery storage unit and announces two more UK projects, part of a £1bn ($1.25bn) plan for 3GWh of BESS capacity.
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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.

Venezuelan oil: Caracas maintains exports despite US naval blockade

The Venezuelan national oil company has confirmed the continuity of its crude exports, as the United States enforces a maritime blockade targeting sanctioned vessels operating around the country.

Global Bioenergies placed under judicial reorganisation pending potential buyer

The commercial court of Évry has initiated judicial reorganisation proceedings for Global Bioenergies, with no buyout offer submitted to date, leaving open the possibility of liquidation.

EDP inaugurates a 16MWc solar park on brownfield land in Menestreau

EDP, via EDP Renewables, inaugurates in Menestreau (Nièvre) a photovoltaic park of nearly 16MWc, comprising 29,630 panels and designed to produce about 19GWh per year, in co-activity with sheep farming.

Yaway opens in France an ultra-fast station directly connected to wind turbines in Breteuil

Yaway, a brand of Kallista Energy, commissions in Breteuil a very high-power charging station directly connected to wind turbines, offering a price of €0.30/kWh ($0.32/kWh) and a maximum power of 400 kW, with no subscription.
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ICSID blocks the sale of SOMAÏR uranium by the State of Niger

The ICSID arbitral tribunal ordered Niger to suspend any sale of uranium produced by SOMAÏR, ruling that this material falls under Orano’s contractual rights, amid a dispute with the State that has lasted for several months.

Lhyfe becomes the leading European producer of RFNBO hydrogen by electrolysis

With the certification of three new sites, Lhyfe takes the lead in the European RFNBO hydrogen market, reaching 21 MW of installed capacity across France and Germany.

Fortescue forges global industrial alliances to electrify its mining operations

Fortescue accelerates the decarbonisation of its operations by leveraging an international network of technology and industrial partners, targeting net zero at its mining sites by 2030.
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Global hydrogen production to reach $322.3bn by 2035, driven by industry demand

The global hydrogen production market is expected to more than double by 2035, supported by technological advances and growing demand from transport, heavy industry and decarbonised energy systems.

SunPower finalises the acquisition of Sunder Energy and doubles its sales force

The transaction creates the fifth-largest US residential solar player by installed megawatts, doubles the sales force to 1,734 representatives and targets a record operating profit in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Baker Hughes secures major contract with Petrobras for 50 subsea systems

Baker Hughes will supply up to 50 subsea trees and associated equipment to Petrobras to support offshore production in Brazil, strengthening its role in the development of pre-salt fields.
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Oilfield equipment market to reach $36.87bn by 2031 driven by global demand

Driven by rising global energy consumption and exploration investments, the oilfield service equipment market is expected to grow at a 5.39% CAGR to reach $36.87bn by 2031.

US sanctions against NIS postponed by eight days, says Belgrade

US sanctions against Serbian oil company NIS, owned by Gazprom, were delayed by eight days after talks between Belgrade and Washington, President Aleksandar Vucic said.

TNC partners with Nucor to strengthen US nuclear supply chain by 2050

US-based TNC has entered into a strategic agreement with Nucor Corporation to expand gigawatt-scale nuclear capacity in line with federal targets of 400 GW by 2050.
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ICE launches two new natural gas trading points with Trinity in Texas

Trinity Gas Storage partners with Intercontinental Exchange to open two new trading points at its Bethel site, strengthening East Texas’s strategic appeal in the U.S. gas market.

Framatome and ENEA join forces to develop lunar nuclear reactors

Framatome and Italian agency ENEA have signed an agreement to design nuclear reactors capable of powering future human settlements on the Moon, amid growing European ambitions in space.

X-energy confirms feasibility of high-temperature modular reactor in Alberta

A technical report backed by the Government of Alberta confirms the potential of the Xe-100 reactor to meet the province’s industrial and electrical energy needs.
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U.S. oil drilling rebounds amid global tensions

The number of active drilling rigs in the United States rose for the fourth consecutive week, supported by higher crude prices and OPEC+’s difficulties in meeting production targets.

Putin calls for new financing models for global nuclear energy

At World Atomic Week in Moscow, the Russian president advocated for a reform of civil nuclear funding mechanisms, urging stronger involvement from multilateral financial institutions.

France: Lecornu rules out a freeze on solar and wind power

The Prime Minister dismissed rumours of a moratorium on renewables, as the upcoming energy roadmap triggers tensions within the sector.
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Iraq resumes oil exports from Kurdistan after two-year suspension

Baghdad has restarted crude shipments from Kurdistan via the pipeline to Turkey, following a two-year halt linked to legal and contractual disputes involving international firms operating in the region.

UN sanctions on Iran reactivated, increased pressure on trade

The activation of the snapback mechanism reinstates all UN sanctions on Iran, directly affecting the defence, financial and maritime trade sectors.