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.

Berlin considers revising 2025 European sanctions on automotive emissions

The German government, in agreement with Paris, has expressed openness to a revision of European sanctions targeting automakers in 2025, aiming to support an industry struggling with Chinese competition and high energy costs.

Macron offers France’s support to Kazakhstan for civilian nuclear development

During Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Paris, Emmanuel Macron strengthened the strategic partnership between France and Kazakhstan, offering French expertise to support the development of civilian nuclear energy in Kazakhstan.

Niger denounces Orano’s suspension of uranium production

The Nigerien junta criticizes Orano's suspension of activities, claiming the decision harms stakeholder commitments and lacks transparency, according to a document from the state-owned company Sopamin.
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ExxonMobil sells Fos-sur-Mer refinery to Swiss consortium Rhône Energies

The American group ExxonMobil has finalized the sale of the Fos-sur-Mer refinery to Rhône Energies, a consortium led by Trafigura, marking a step in its strategy to reduce activities in France.

CO2: European Car Manufacturers Face Imminent Climate Sanctions

With the tightening of European CO2 emissions standards, car manufacturers must reduce their emissions or face massive penalties. A significant challenge that could reshape the industrial landscape in Europe.

TotalEnergies urges Donald Trump to maintain U.S. climate commitments

Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies, calls on Donald Trump to uphold U.S. climate commitments if he wins in 2024, fearing the impact of excessive deregulation on the oil industry and public opinion.
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TotalEnergies signs a deal to supply 2 million tons of LNG to Sinopec over 15 years

TotalEnergies signs a deal to supply 2 million tons of LNG to Sinopec over 15 years

Energy Poverty in France: When Electricity Cuts Affect Low-Income Households

Facing rising energy prices, numerous French households are at risk of power cuts and reduced electricity supply. An alarming situation that raises questions about the essential nature of energy.

Schneider Electric: departure of CEO Peter Herweck after strategic disagreements

Schneider Electric announced the sudden departure of its CEO Peter Herweck, who had been in office since May 2023, due to disagreements over the company’s strategy. Olivier Blum takes over immediately.
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Forgotten greenhouse gases: methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases under scrutiny

Beyond CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases actively contribute to global warming, driving specific measures to limit their emissions. These lesser-known gases are at the core of researchers' and policymakers' concerns.

COP29 in Baku: A Climate Summit Under Post-U.S. Election Tensions

World leaders will gather in Baku for COP29, a climate summit that may be disrupted by the U.S. election results, with crucial stakes surrounding the financing of the fight against global warming.

Paris Calls for a Delay in CO2 Sanctions Against European Automakers

Paris Calls for a Delay in CO2 Sanctions Against European Automakers
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Schneider Electric, Rexel, Sonepar and Legrand fined 470 million euros for anticompetitive collusion

The French Competition Authority has imposed fines totaling 470 million euros on Schneider Electric, Rexel, Sonepar, and Legrand for collusion in the low-voltage electrical equipment sector. These sanctions represent a strong response against market manipulation.

Nexans confirms its forecasts and announces new strategy for November

Nexans, the French specialist in industrial cables, confirms its financial outlook for 2024, with a strategic announcement scheduled for November 13 to outline its future and priorities in the energy sector.

France: Enedis adapts the Breton network to face storms

One year after storm Ciaran, Enedis strengthens the electrical network in Brittany. By burying 1,100 kilometers of lines and modernizing cables, the company aims to reduce outages related to weather disruptions.
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Schneider Electric reports record revenue in Q3 thanks to energy transition

Schneider Electric reached revenue of 9.3 billion euros in the third quarter of 2024, a 5.9% increase, driven by energy management and digitalization solutions.

35% Growth for McPhy: Electrolyzers Propel Results in the First Half of 2024

McPhy Energy reports a 35% increase in revenue for the first half of 2024, driven by the expansion of its electrolyzer activity. The group refocuses on industrial hydrogen production despite operational challenges.

Veolia transforms sewage sludge into biomethane to power 10,000 Parisian households

Veolia and SIAAP launch a sewage sludge methanization unit in the Paris region, producing biomethane for 10,000 households. This initiative aims to recover an unused gas, contributing to energy autonomy.
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TotalEnergies and Morocco Launch Green Hydrogen Production Project for the European Market

TotalEnergies partners with Morocco to develop a vast green hydrogen project in the Guelmin-Oued Noun region, aiming for green ammonia production powered by renewable energy for European markets.

Resumption of Oil Drilling in Libya by Eni and BP after a Decade-long Hiatus

European energy giants Eni and BP resume onshore drilling activities in Libya after ten years, as the country seeks to double its oil production within five years.