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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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.

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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.
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Orano recovers its representative in Niger amid growing nuclear tensions

French nuclear group Orano has confirmed the release of its representative in Niger, detained since May, as tensions remain high with the country’s junta over control of uranium assets.

French consortium invests €7.3mn in offshore superconductivity project

A pilot project backed by the state aims to modernise electricity transport between offshore wind farms and the mainland grid using superconducting cables cooled with liquid nitrogen.

European Oil Majors Slow Down Their Energy Transition

Facing a renewable energy market deemed less profitable, several European oil and gas companies are shifting their strategy. BP, Shell, and Enel are reducing their green investments to prioritize hydrocarbons, while TotalEnergies maintains a hybrid approach.

Belgium: The government aims to double nuclear capacity by 2035

The new Belgian government, led by Bart De Wever, plans to expand the country's nuclear capacity to 8 gigawatts, including the extension of existing reactors and the construction of new units. This decision requires a revision of the 2003 law on nuclear phase-out.

ElecLink power link gradually resumes operations after months of shutdown

Getlink is progressively relaunching ElecLink, its one-gigawatt transchannel power cable, after more than four months of suspension. The service restoration is taking place in multiple phases, with ongoing testing and capacity auctions until February 10.
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Cameroon: Launch of the Selection for the Kikot Hydroelectric Dam (500 MW)

Cameroon opens the initial selection for companies to participate in the construction of the 500 MW Kikot hydroelectric dam. The financing, estimated at over one billion euros, will involve the World Bank and other partners.

Lhyfe secures €11 million funding for a hydrogen plant in Sweden

Lhyfe has secured €11 million in funding from Sweden’s Klimatklivet program to build a renewable hydrogen production plant in Vaggeryd. This project is part of a broader strategy to develop a hydrogen supply network in Sweden.

Westinghouse and EDF Compete for Slovenia’s JEK2 Nuclear Project

GEN energija has selected Westinghouse and EDF to conduct a technical feasibility study on Slovenia's JEK2 nuclear project. KHNP, initially in the race, has decided not to submit a bid due to a strategic shift.
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The EU Strengthens its Emergency Measures for Vehicle Electrification

The European Union launches an emergency consultation with automakers to accelerate the transition to electrification in response to current competitive and regulatory challenges.

EDF Raises Its Nuclear Electricity Production Forecasts for 2025-2027

The EDF group revises upward its nuclear electricity production estimates for 2025, 2026 and 2027, incorporating the EPR (European Pressurized Reactor) of Flamanville 3 despite delays and fluctuations observed in recent years.

Energy Roadmap: HCC Highlights Essential Levers

The High Council for Climate (HCC) presents six conditions for the energy transition. The opinion outlines areas to strengthen, particularly regarding budget mobilization and planning for the phase-out of fossil fuels.
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TotalEnergies Adopts IFS Cloud to Optimize Global Asset Management

TotalEnergies implements IFS Cloud to transform its global asset management, integrating maintenance and monitoring on a single platform.

Flamanville EPR: ASNR Authorizes EDF to Exceed 25% of Nominal Power

The Nuclear Safety Authority (ASNR) has validated the continuation of tests on the Flamanville EPR by authorizing EDF to exceed the 25% nominal power threshold, a crucial step in the power ramp-up program.

15% Reduction in Regulated Electricity Rates in France

The 15% tariff reduction affects over 24 million subscribers in France, with disparities depending on regulated and market offers, amid fluctuations in energy costs, taxes, and transmission fees.
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France’s Far-Right Strongly Challenges Nuclear Pricing Regulations.

The CRE (Commission of Energy Regulation) states that the new nuclear price regulation mechanism aims to protect consumers, despite the RN's political opposition.

The Greenfin label revised to better align with the European Green Taxonomy

The Greenfin label, launched in 2013, is being updated to better match European requirements, particularly in sustainable finance and climate objectives. The revisions published on January 29, 2025, strengthen its alignment with the green taxonomy and European standards.

EDF’s Technocenter Project in Fessenheim Sparks Debate

EDF's project to build a technocenter for recycling low-level radioactive metal waste on the site of the former Fessenheim nuclear power plant is reigniting local tensions, between economic hopes and environmental concerns.
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The EU Faces Automobile Electrification Challenges: Emergency Measures for the Industry

The European Union is taking action to support the European automotive industry in the face of increasing competition from China and the need for vehicle electrification, promising emergency measures and flexibilities to preserve jobs and competitiveness.

GRTgaz becomes NaTran to mark its energy transition

GRTgaz renames itself NaTran to highlight its commitment to transforming its gas networks, aiming to become a key player in the transport of decarbonized gas by 2030. This change in identity accompanies an ambitious project to address energy and climate challenges.

France: The Administrative Court Demands Regularization of the Oil Drilling Order

The administrative court of Melun ordered the prefecture to regularize the order authorizing oil drilling at the Nonville concession, deemed illegal on several points, awaiting a final decision in ten months.
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France: Nearly 50 Anomalies Reported Since the Launch of the Flamanville’s EPR Reactor

Since the startup of the Flamanville EPR reactor in May 2024, nearly 50 significant events have been reported by the ASN, with no impact on safety or the environment. These anomalies are mainly related to human factors and team coordination.

Fraud and Counterfeiting: The French Nuclear Industry Under Increased Surveillance

In 2024, the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) handled 71 reports of irregularities in the nuclear industry, compared to 43 in 2023. This marked increase is seen as a sign of stronger oversight and better alert reporting by operators.