EU urges France to act quickly to close the renewable energy gap

The European Union is warning that France is lagging behind in terms of renewable energies, and insisting on greater efforts to meet the common energy targets set for 2030.

Share:

Commission Européenne

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The European Commission urges France to review its energy strategy, pointing to a worrying delay in the development of renewable energies.
While the European Union is aiming for a 42.5% share of renewables in its energy mix by 2030, France is far from achieving this ambition.
The Commission’s annual report, presented by Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, highlights the significant shortcomings of France, which has failed to meet the 23% renewable energy target set for 2020.

France: Targets to review and strategy to adjust

France’s situation is all the more critical in that its Plan national intégré énergie-climat (Pniec), submitted at the end of 2023, calls for only 33% renewables by 2030.
This is well below the 44% required by the 2018 European directive.
The French authorities have been battling against Brussels’ directives for years, arguing the importance of their nuclear generation in reducing carbon emissions.
However, the European Commission insists on the need to diversify energy sources to ensure continental energy resilience.
This delay places France among the EU’s worst performers in terms of energy transition.
Other countries, such as Sweden (66% renewables by 2022), Finland (47.9%) and Denmark (41.6%), show that significant progress is possible.
The lack of ambition in Paris is undermining the achievement of European climate objectives, requiring immediate corrective action.

A direct impact on EU energy policy

The failure of some member states, including France, to meet EU targets has wider implications for energy policy and the European energy market.
The Commission warns of the risk of increased dependence on imported fossil fuels if the transition to renewable sources is not accelerated.
This situation could also weaken the EU’s position in international climate and energy negotiations.
Differences in performance between member states, as illustrated by the low share of renewables in Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg and Malta (less than 14%), call for a reassessment of policies and a strengthening of coordination mechanisms at European level.
The European Union could be called upon to adopt stricter measures to ensure that all countries align their efforts with common objectives, avoiding structural weaknesses that could compromise the overall energy transition.

Challenges for the French energy sector

For the energy sector in France, this increased pressure from Brussels means a need to accelerate investment in renewable infrastructure, such as wind and solar farms.
Market players, from companies to institutional investors, need to adjust their strategies to incorporate these new requirements.
Continued delay could not only result in financial sanctions from the EU, but also reduce France’s competitiveness in the European energy market.
French authorities also face internal challenges, such as the social acceptability of renewable projects and the administrative constraints that slow down their deployment.
Regulatory complexity, often cited by operators in the sector, represents a major obstacle to achieving targets.
A reform of administrative procedures may be necessary to facilitate investment and encourage innovation in this field.

European energy policy outlook

The pressure exerted by the European Commission on France could be the catalyst for a wider change in EU energy policy.
The aim is clear: to ensure that divergences between member states do not compromise the Union’s carbon-neutral objectives.
This could involve setting up new financing and support mechanisms to encourage investment in renewables, or applying stricter penalties for non-compliant states.
Discussions between Paris and Brussels are continuing to find a workable compromise, but it is clear that significant adjustments are needed.
The EU is seeking to strengthen its position as a world leader in the fight against climate change, while guaranteeing the energy security of its members.
This means pushing major players like France to be more proactive in the transition to cleaner energy.

Citepa projections confirm a marked slowdown in France's climate trajectory, with emissions reductions well below targets set in the national low-carbon strategy.
The United States has threatened economic sanctions against International Maritime Organization members who approve a global carbon tax on international shipping emissions.
Global progress on electricity access slowed in 2024, with only 11 million new connections, despite targeted efforts in parts of Africa and Asia.
A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.
The US Senate has confirmed two new commissioners to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, creating a Republican majority that could reshape the regulatory approach to national energy infrastructure.
The federal government launches a CAD3mn call for proposals to fund Indigenous participation in energy and infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
Opportunities are emerging for African countries to move from extraction to industrial manufacturing in energy technology value chains, as the 2025 G20 discussions highlight these issues.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity could more than double by 2030, driven by the rise of solar photovoltaics despite supply chain pressures and evolving policy frameworks.
Algeria plans to allocate $60 billion to energy projects by 2029, primarily targeting upstream oil and gas, while developing petrochemicals, renewables and unconventional resources.
China set a record for clean technology exports in August, driven by surging sales of electric vehicles and batteries, with more than half of the growth coming from non-OECD markets.
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.
The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.
Faced with growing threats to its infrastructure, Denmark raises its energy alert level in response to a series of unidentified drone flyovers and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The Prime Minister dismissed rumours of a moratorium on renewables, as the upcoming energy roadmap triggers tensions within the sector.
Kuwait plans to develop 14.05 GW of new power capacity by 2031 to meet growing demand and reduce scheduled outages, driven by extreme temperatures and maintenance delays.
The partnership with the World Bank-funded Pro Energia+ programme aims to expand electricity access in Mozambique by targeting rural communities through a results-based financing mechanism.
The European Commission strengthens ACER’s funding through a new fee structure applied to reporting entities, aimed at supporting increased surveillance of wholesale energy market transactions.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.