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: Melun and Vaux-le-Pénil expand their heating network with new geothermal energy

The cities of Melun and Vaux-le-Pénil are launching the expansion of their heating network with the drilling of a new geothermal well planned for 2026. This project aims to strengthen local energy supply by increasing the capacity of the existing network.

Flamanville EPR extends shutdown until March 30 for maintenance

The Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor will remain shut down until March 30 due to a series of unexpected technical interventions. These operations, which began on February 15, aim to optimise its performance before reaching full power.

France opens public consultation on its energy strategy until 2035

The French government has launched a public consultation on the third Multiannual Energy Programme (PPE), which sets the country's energy production and consumption trajectories for the 2025-2035 period. This process precedes the adoption of the text by decree in April.
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EDF and French industrialists at odds over long-term electricity contracts

Negotiations between EDF and major French industrialists stall over electricity tariffs, raising concerns about industrial competitiveness against European offers.

TotalEnergies abandons a solar project in French Guiana due to lack of public support

TotalEnergies has ended the Maya solar power plant project in French Guiana, initiated in 2019 to stabilise the local energy supply. The company cites a lack of public support, as the revision of France’s energy planning is underway.

Getlink’s net profit drops by 5% in 2024, impacted by competition and ElecLink suspension

In 2024, Getlink reported a 5% drop in net profit, reaching €317 million. This decline is attributed to the temporary suspension of its ElecLink cross-Channel cable and the growing competition from ferries.
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EDF launches auctions for long-term nuclear electricity contracts

EDF implements a system of auctions for long-term nuclear electricity contracts to stabilise prices and finance its nuclear projects. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2026.

Orano signs contract with Energoatom for uranium enrichment

French group Orano has signed an agreement with Energoatom to provide uranium enrichment services until 2040. This collaboration aims to reduce Ukraine's reliance on Rosatom, the Russian nuclear giant.

Neoen maintains its 2025 targets despite an 87% drop in net profit in 2024

Renewable energy producer Neoen confirms its financial goals for 2025, despite a significant drop in net profit in 2024, mainly due to the high cost of its debt.
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France, Europe’s main importer of Russian LNG in 2024

In 2024, France maintained its position as the leading importer of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Europe, despite an overall decline in its gas consumption.

Gas consumption in France falls by 5.5% in 2024, driven by reduced gas-fired power generation

Gas demand in France decreased by 5.5% in 2024, largely due to the reduction in gas-fired power generation, according to NaTran, the operator of the gas transmission network.

The High Commissioner for Atomic Energy criticises France’s energy strategy for 2035

Vincent Berger, High Commissioner for Atomic Energy, issues strong criticism of France's energy strategy for 2035, deeming the CO2 reduction target overly ambitious and warning of potential overproduction of electricity.
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La Caixa acquires 5% stake in Veolia, becoming strategic investor

Spanish banking group La Caixa takes a 5% stake in Veolia, becoming a strategic investor in the French environmental services giant. The collaboration aims to support Veolia's development plan.

The IEA CERT workshop explores the state and prospects of fusion energy

Industry, academic, and government experts gathered at the IEA CERT thematic workshop to discuss public-private collaboration and funding priorities for the development of fusion energy.

HRS wins order for 4-tonne/day hydrogen station in Europe

Manufacturer HRS has signed a contract to provide a hydrogen refuelling station with a capacity of 4 tonnes per day, designed for public transport. This project will mark a first in Europe for infrastructure of this scale.
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Siemens Energy to provide equipment for Rolls-Royce nuclear reactors

Siemens Energy has signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce to supply equipment for its modular nuclear reactors. The deal, which could be finalised by the end of 2025, includes steam turbines and generators.

Boralex reports net earnings of $74 million for fiscal 2024 and continues construction of its large-scale projects

Boralex reported financial results for 2024 marked by lower production due to adverse weather conditions but maintains a strong financial position thanks to record financing and the progression of its renewable energy projects.

France: €20 billion investments for decarbonisation of the Golfe de Fos site

A roadmap for the decarbonisation of the Golfe de Fos site, aimed at attracting €20 billion in investments, has been signed by the State, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, and the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolitan area.
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France: Eric Lombard and business organisations call for adjustments to European proposals

French Minister of the Economy Eric Lombard, along with several business organisations, praised the European Commission's proposals on societal and climate-related obligations for companies, but argued they need to be adjusted to better account for international competition.

Engie plans to strengthen its renewable capacity with an investment of €24bn by 2027

Engie aims to accelerate its growth through 2030 by investing in renewable energy, batteries, and electrical grids, with a target of 95 GW of installed capacity by 2030.