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.

France: Agnès Pannier-Runacher warns of the risks of excessive increases in electricity taxes

France: Agnès Pannier-Runacher warns of the risks of excessive increases in electricity taxes

France: Energy unions sound the alarm ahead of new grid tariff negotiations

Energy unions are concerned about the upcoming revision of the Public Electricity Grid Use Tariff (TURPE), fearing a reduction in human resources as massive investments are needed to modernize the network.

TotalEnergies Continues Oil and Gas Production Through 2030

TotalEnergies announces an increase in its oil and gas production until 2030, despite pressures to reduce fossil fuels. CEO Patrick Pouyanné defends this strategy amid climate challenges.
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Taxing Power Plants in 2025 Without Burdening Electricity Bills

The French government is exploring a new tax on power plants to balance the 2025 budget without increasing electricity costs for consumers, a move that faces strong opposition from industry stakeholders.

China Must Reduce Emissions by 30% by 2035 According to CREA

A report from the Centre de recherche sur l'énergie et l'air pur (CREA) demands that China decrease its emissions by at least 30% by 2035 to comply with the commitments of the Paris Agreement on climate.

Akuo launches one of the largest solar plants in Portugal with 181 MW capacity

Akuo inaugurates the Santas solar power plant, one of the largest in Portugal, with 181 MWp capacity, supplying more than 100,000 households and reducing CO2 emissions by 70,000 tons per year.
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TotalEnergies Confirms its Willingness for Dual Listing in New York Backed by the Board

TotalEnergies announces its intention to establish a dual listing in New York, supported unanimously by its board of directors, while maintaining its presence on the Paris stock market.

Superprofits under pressure: global taxation triggers a showdown

Taxes on the superprofits of oil and gas majors are multiplying across Europe and the United States. While governments aim to redistribute these record profits, companies are threatening to cut back on investments.

Agnès Pannier-Runacher opposes a new tax on energy companies

The Minister of Ecological Transition warns against a proposed tax on power plants, highlighting the risk of passing the costs onto French consumers.
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Colombia Accelerates the Development of its Geothermal Potential

Colombia is intensifying the development of geothermal energy to diversify its energy mix. The country is relying on public-private partnerships and favorable regulations to attract the necessary investments.

France: Court Blocks Wind Project to Protect Historic Menhirs

The Nantes administrative court of appeal annulled the authorization to build three wind turbines in Porspoder, citing the impact on the archaeological heritage due to the proximity of the Kergadiou menhirs, classified as historical monuments.

France: Debate on the Future Floating Wind Turbine Construction Platform Fos-sur-Mer

The Marseille-Fos port has launched a public consultation on the Deos project, a platform dedicated to the construction of floating wind turbines. The mayor of Fos-sur-Mer has raised concerns about the environmental impact of this initiative.
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TotalEnergies Invests USD 10.5 Billion in Suriname’s First Offshore Oil Project

TotalEnergies, in partnership with APA Corporation, has confirmed a USD 10.5 billion investment to develop Block 58 off the coast of Suriname. The project aims to exploit the oil resources from the Sapakara and Krabdagu fields, with reserves estimated at over 750 million barrels. The fields, located 150 kilometers offshore, will be developed using a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit capable of processing up to 220,000 barrels per day.

Favoritism at EDF: The PNF Appeals Henri Proglio’s and the Group’s Acquittal

The Parquet National Financier (PNF) has announced its decision to appeal the Paris Correctional Court’s ruling, which acquitted Henri Proglio, former Chairman and CEO of EDF, along with the group and eleven other individuals, in a case involving allegations of favoritism. The case centers on a series of consulting contracts directly awarded by EDF between 2010 and 2016, raising concerns about the transparency of the company’s contracting practices.

France: Michel Barnier and the “ecological debt” challenges and perspectives in energy policy

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier commits to reducing France's "ecological debt" while developing nuclear and renewable energy sources. However, NGOs and experts criticize the lack of concrete measures and financial commitments.
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Newcleo relocates to Paris and raises €135 million from European investors

Newcleo, a specialist in small modular reactors, has raised €135 million and is relocating its headquarters to Paris to improve access to European funding. The startup aims to strengthen its capacity in France and accelerate its technological development.

The French e-fuels industry faces critical deadlines for 2030

The French e-fuels sector needs to accelerate the development of its 26 ongoing projects to meet European decarbonation goals by 2030. The next 18 months will be crucial to structuring this emerging ecosystem.

United Kingdom Shuts Down Its Last Coal-Fired Power Plant, a Strategic Shift for the Energy Sector

The closure of the UK's last coal-fired power plant marks a major shift in the country's energy strategy, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. The UK thus becomes the first G7 member to eliminate this energy source.
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Gabon and Equatorial Guinea Dispute Over Three Oil-Rich Islets Heads to International Court

Gabon and Equatorial Guinea have been at odds over three islets since the 1970s. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been called upon to determine the applicable legal documents in this high-stakes dispute with major economic and strategic implications.

Henri Proglio and EDF Acquitted in the Consultant Contract Case

EDF and its former CEO Henri Proglio have been acquitted in a favoritism case related to consultancy contracts awarded between 2010 and 2016. The court ruled that there was no evidence of a criminal intent, despite the accusations from the Parquet National Financier.