France

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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.

Cadeler secures two offshore contracts worth €500mn in wind energy

Danish group Cadeler has signed two contracts for the transport and installation of offshore wind turbine foundations and units worth a combined €500mn, subject to a final investment decision by the client.
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Uniper shuts down Karlshamn-2 after failure of Swedish winter backup scheme

The shutdown of Karlshamn-2 removes 335 MW of heavy fuel oil capacity from southern Sweden, exposing the limits of a strategic reserve model approved but inoperative, and increasing pressure on winter supply security.

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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

AfDB approves €26.5mn for a 62 MWp solar power plant in Togo

The project, co-financed by Proparco and led by EDF, involves a solar power plant in Sokodé aimed at boosting Togo’s energy output and attracting new private investments.

Eurus Energy begins construction of Hajang 5 wind farm at 1,080 metres altitude

Japanese group Eurus Energy has launched the construction of a 13.5 MW onshore wind farm in the Gangwon mountains, with commercial operations scheduled to start in November 2026.

Ocean Winds launches final phase with first turbine installed at EMYN

Ocean Winds has installed the first turbine of the EMYN offshore wind farm, triggering the final phase of the project ahead of its commissioning at the end of 2025 and the creation of 85 permanent maintenance positions.
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Esso restarts refining units in Port-Jérôme after 750,000 hours of maintenance

Esso’s Gravenchon site restarts operations following a planned shutdown involving 1,000 workers and over 750,000 labour hours.

Cigéo project cost could reach €37.5bn according to Andra

The French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management has revised upward its evaluation of the Cigéo underground storage project, with a maximum potential cost of €37.5bn ($40.4bn) over 150 years.

Brussels blocks KHNP nuclear contract in Czechia amid rising tensions

The European Commission has requested Prague to suspend the award of a CZK200bn contract to KHNP, citing suspicions of state aid that may breach European law.
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Axpo secures strategic contract to deliver 115 GWh of solar electricity to Auchan

Axpo will manage balancing and market delivery of solar electricity supplied to Auchan in Poland under a structured agreement with GoldenPeaks Capital.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners sells 10% stake in Fengmiao I wind farm to Mitsui O.S.K.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ CI V fund has signed an agreement to divest 10% of its offshore wind project Fengmiao I to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, with commissioning expected by the end of 2027.

ERG commissions 18 MW wind farm in northern France

Italian group ERG has completed an 18 MW wind farm in Pas-de-Calais, backed by a 20-year contract for difference and developed without external partners.
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Saudi Arabia offers titanium and aluminium to France to strengthen its industry

During a visit to France, the Saudi Minister of Industry presented the kingdom's titanium and aluminium as levers to reach agreements with French manufacturers and support the country’s industrial diversification.

The global wind turbine maintenance market to reach $59.67bn by 2030

Rising installations and the integration of predictive technologies are driving the wind turbine operations and maintenance market, projected to hit $59.67bn by 2030, according to MarketsandMarkets.

Bernard Fontana appointed to lead EDF and manage major energy projects

The French government has entrusted Bernard Fontana with the leadership of EDF, relying on his industrial background to manage the end of the Arenh and revive the nuclear programme.
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Ørsted abandons Hornsea 4 in the United Kingdom due to excessive perceived risks

Danish group Ørsted halts development of its Hornsea 4 offshore wind project in the UK, citing financial and operational risks that no longer guarantee returns for shareholders.

Veolia takes full control of WTS in a $1.75 billion deal

Veolia acquires full ownership of Water Technologies and Solutions by purchasing the 30% stake held by CDPQ, further consolidating its growth strategy focused on industrial water technologies.

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.
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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.

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.
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Vestas beats expectations with €5mn profit in Q1 2025

Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas posts an unexpected net profit despite tariff tensions and confirms its 2025 outlook.

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.