Former EDF CEO Henri Proglio under investigation for corruption

Henri Proglio, ex-CEO of EDF, is under investigation for corruption and misuse of corporate assets.

Share:

Corruption enquête Henri Proglio

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90€/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90€/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 €/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99€/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 €/year from the second year.

Henri Proglio, former CEO ofEDF, already on trial in May for disputed contracts during his term of office, is the subject of a new investigation into allegations of corruption and misuse of corporate assets, a judicial source revealed on Tuesday. Henri Proglio’s home and office, located in a building belonging to EDF in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, were searched on September 14, 2023. This action is part of a preliminary investigation launched at the end of 2022 by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF), following a Tracfin tip-off.

Offences covered and evidence gathered

The investigation targets serious charges such as corruption, corruption laundering, abuse of corporate assets, and tax fraud laundering. Notably, 300,000 euros in cash were found in a bank safe, intensifying suspicions about Henri Proglio Consulting’s activities.

International contract context

The investigators are particularly interested in the consulting contracts Proglio has won in Russia and Congo-Brazzaville. These contracts are examined to determine the legality of their procurement and the source of funds.

Legal and defense implications

Henri Proglio, along with his former General Secretary at EDF, Alain Tchernonog, and a dozen consultants, will be tried for favoritism by the criminal court from May 21 to June 6. Six other consultants have already been convicted since the beginning of 2023 in connection with this case, in court appearances based on prior recognition of guilt (CRPC).

Reactions and future challenges

Despite the accusations, Henri Proglio remains a member of Rosatom’s international board. His lawyer, Jean-Pierre Mignard, said he could not comment on the ongoing investigation, as he did not have access to the complete file.

The Proglio affair reveals the complexities and challenges of fighting corruption in the upper echelons of French public companies, raising questions about ethics and governance in key sectors.

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.
France’s Court of Auditors is urging clarity on EDF’s financing structure, as the public utility confronts a €460bn investment programme through 2040 to support its new nuclear reactor rollout.
The U.S. Department of Energy will return more than $13bn in unspent funds originally allocated to climate initiatives, in line with the Trump administration’s new budget policy.
Under pressure from Washington, the International Energy Agency reintroduces a pro-fossil scenario in its report, marking a shift in its direction amid rising tensions with the Trump administration.
Southeast Asia, facing rapid electricity consumption growth, could tap up to 20 terawatts of solar and wind potential to strengthen energy security.
The President of the Energy Regulatory Commission was elected to the presidency of the Board of Regulators of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators for a two-and-a-half-year term.
The Australian government has announced a new climate target backed by a funding plan, while maintaining its position as a major coal exporter, raising questions about its long-term energy strategy.
New 15-year agreement for the exploration of polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean, making India the first country with two licences and the largest allocated perimeter for these deposits.
The Argentine government launches a national and international tender to sell 44% of Nucleo Electrica SA, continuing its policy of economic withdrawal through capital markets.
A report by Rhodium Group anticipates stagnation in US emissions, a result of the political shift favouring fossil fuels since Donald Trump returned to office.